BIO
“I’ve always had a passion for visual arts.
As a child growing up on a farm, I would often borrow the family Brownie Hawkeye to take photos of rocks, fences or time exposures of lightning or by moonlight.
After obtaining an education as a surveyor and working in the field, I realized I was much more interested in capturing and creating photos of landscapes than recording the spatial distances of them.
Ryerson University taught me the tools of the trade and life experiences taught me to never take things for granted and to look for moments often overlooked by many.
Besides formal photographic studies, I studied with master photographers, William Albert Allard, Harvey Lloyd, Freeman Patterson / Andre Gallant and Karin Rosenthal. Much like accomplished musicians, these photographers have honed their skills to a fine art and distinction. I feel very fortunate to have had their feedback and encouragement.
Whether it be traveling by dugout on the Sepic River – PNG, hitchhiking in Kono – Nigeria or soaking in the solitude of the Burin Peninsula in NFLD, Canada – I seek to show the contrasts, similarities and the unexpected, which bond us together in this beautiful life.”
ARTIST STATEMENT
“The following is an excerpt which I wrote to describe a workshop I attended – taught by Freeman Patterson and Andre Gallant. It summarizes how I look at my photographic work today.
“I looked at a beach scene being quickly photographed by dozens of tourists and thought to myself – there was something more…
Something very unique, powerful and beautiful lay in front of me which commanded my full attention – I wanted to capture it forever.
If only I could see it….
Then I realized I could feel it”.
The best photographs speak with simplicity and with emotion to the viewer. Freeman and my teachers have challenged me to “Think Sideways” – to view the familiar in a fresh way without preconceived ideas.
The risk in doing so is an initial loss of self-confidence.
The reward is to strengthen one’s ability to look at the world from different perspectives. Life will never – ever, be boring!”
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