FarmArt.org

As our Festival Week goes flashing by, I realize that I have not taken the time to tell you about our Festival Photographers.

First, let me mention two guys who generously donated to our Festival’s Auction:  Jim Sells and Geoff Wynne.

I’ve known Jim for nearly 35 years.  He was always “Brandi, Kelly and Brian’s dad.”  But THIS year I met a new Jim Sells–The Art Photographer.  His work is eclectic with clear style and innovation.  His nature and documentary photos have an exacting quality with sharp focus and strong composition.  One of my favorites will be at the Swinging in the Pines Auction this weekend.  It’s a very strong photo of Kennedy Meadows Resort–its color composition is enough to knock this photo out of the park.  With sharp granite cliffs in the background, we’re given a nostalgic image of the old green shingled lodge with accents of high contrast reds given in perfect balance.  Did Jim set this up with the red tablecloths, red neon sign and red towels against that green?  Or did this just happen?  Either way, this photo is stunning.  Tuolumne County fans will want to have this vivid reminder of the lovely lodge that burned just last year (09/07).  Jim has captured this little memory for all of us.  Jim’s nature photos have this same elegance as he grabs these perfect spots and puts us in that place and time for just a moment.

Then there are his experimental pieces.  Jim is not afraid to take risks.  He is delving into creative uses of photo manipulation software to play with our eyes and imaginations:  A Plein Air painter on the beach, the photo presented in “major tweak,” but on the painter’s canvas is a clear image of the painting that is being created.  A portrait of his granddaughter Riley done in a similar fashion: The surroundings are distorted, but Riley stands in sharp focus.  Jim is pushing edges and allowing himself to step outside of the traditional photographer’s rules and standards.  Keep it up, Jim!

Our other photographer is Geoff Wynne.  Geoff’s photos are truly a step off the planet. Not really photos, but more like paintings, he is a master of PhotoShop.  When I first discovered his work, I was amazed.  I actually thought that the images he was sending me in emails were probably “stock photos.”  Then I asked, and he said, “They’re mine.”  But when I asked where his stuff was available, he said, “Nowhere.”  OKAY, my dear readers, time for some blunt honesty.  This man’s work drove me over the edge as a lover of art.  I decided then and there to help him get his work out to the public.  Well, now I am his sweetie-pie.  You could say I’m biased, but truly I fell in love with his art first, the man second. In his first exhibit at the 2006 In-Focus Show, he took a Judge’s Choice Award.  Most recently, Wynne  took first place for Photography and Printing in our Foothill Farmlands ARTS Festival’s Art Show with a beautiful, haunting piece entitled “Farm Workers.”  It’s hanging in Backspace, a very fun shop on Washington Street in Sonora.  Go check it out!  For a moment forget about my personal connection to this artist and listen:  Geoff Wynne is one of Tuolumne County’s most important artists.  His work is dynamic and inspired.  Enough said.

At Event #1 of our Festival, “Golden Hills Traditions,” at Mt. Brow Winery on Saturday we had more great local photographers represented.  The Sonora Photography Club had its own booth!  There were some wonderful photographers whose work was shown:  Wyntress Balcher, Al & Edith Tsacle (Al is also one of our Festival Musicians.  He is in a GREAT Bluegrass Band–The Fog Valley Drifters), Jean Hackamack to name a few. Plus, Jim Sells had his work on display.  This dedicated group meets on a regular basis to support one another in their art form.  They also set up shoot-outs, workshops and discussion groups. You can contact Central Sierra Arts Council for information on how to hook up with the local photography club. 

Plus, The Returning Show Booth (organized by Zac Calbert) featured the works of Lindsey Lutts and Joshua Cripps.  Both of these photographers are a part of our growing Next Generation Artists–a swelling group of young, creative activists who are ready to make their mark on the Sierra Foothill with a new generation of art.  Lindsey’s work is wild and reckless with a strong statement of her vision.  Joshua’s work is equally strong and intense, but has a completely different slant.  While Lindsey’s work is all about social commentary, our changing and evolving culture, Josh’s work takes us out of time completely.  He whisks us off to wild lands to the edge of the world…and then he leaves us breathless.

Photography is a vital art form in our community!  After all, one of America’s most influential nature photographers hailed from our neck of the woods–Did you guess who yet?  How does ANSEL ADAMS sound? 

Keep us on your Photo Radar.  Our annual show, InFocus, has been a cornerstone of the Tuolumne County art scene for over 20 years. Get to know our local photographers when you come up for a visit. And like Lindsey and Joshua prove, photography is alive and well for years to come on the Mother Lode.