Baby Boomer Ranger

As any craftsperson or avid collector will attest, there is something truly special about relating to, and understanding a piece of art that was carefully crafted by human hands. But being invited into the artist’s psyche, learning more about the work and its creator can make the experience even more remarkable.

An artist’s statement is a short piece written by the artist to accompany a particular work of art or group of pieces. An artist’s statement isn’t insignificant or dashed out in a hurry. It’s a vital tool, promoting and explaining your work to people looking at your artwork, whether they’re potential buyers, exhibition curators, critics, fellow artists, or casual browsers.

At its best, an artist’s statement reads easily, is informative, and adds to your understanding of the artist and the artwork. At its worse, an artist’s statement is difficult to understand or rambles on, is pretentious, and irritates rather than informs (or, even provokes laughter). In a way, I have been writing Artist’s Statements for each set of photos I have hung in the SO hallway or posted on this blog. These are the little one page descriptions, framed with the photos, explaining where the photos were taken and sometimes why.

Now, I’m not busy promoting my photography, but in my fantasy to be a photographer I have written an artist’s statement for my larger collection of photos, including the ones on my blog.

My Artist Statement

Amazed at people’s sentimental reaction to poorly executed snapshots from 100 years ago, I am committed to leaving clear and well crafted images of today. I want to share our present-day commonplace experiences and catalogue photos of things don’t communicate the real story. I seek to convey not just what we are doing but how do we feel about ourselves, how do we interact, how do we implement our interests; what are we about at this moment?

Some photographers fall in love with making images then search for subjects and learn how to express their character. I live inside my subjects and use pictures to express the issues I see, experience, and attempt to resolve. “The photographer is always in the photo,” I tell my friends and colleagues. I have turned to photography to express my passion, respect and admiration for the people, places and projects that I deal with on a daily basis. I seek to capture our personality, individuality, zeal, determination, and love for our everyday jobs.

While working for the Sierra National Forest, I photograph events and people “Caring for the Land and Serving People.”
I take my pictures without disrupting my regularly assigned duties or the activities of the people I am photographing. Even though I take photos while working, I download, edit, organize and label them on my personal time. I work with digital photos taken with my Nikon D70s and an assortment of “point and shoot” and disposable cameras. Post processing is accomplished on my iMac using iPhoto and Photoshop Elements, and I print on a Hewlett Packard HP5500 or through a commercial service.

Recently, my portfolio themes have included: electronic communication equipment overwhelming historic fire lookouts (“Mountaintops in Transition”), efforts to teach primitive trail building skills in the John Muir Wilderness (“School of Rock”), and the Chawanakee School that teaches traditional cultural practices and environmental education to Native American children (“Rebuilding Traditions”).

November 9, 2006

Under warm sunny skies on a stunning fall day, at the San Joaquin River Gorge Indian village area, Sierra National Forest employees and members of the community gathered together to celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month.

Annually, the employees of the Sierra National Forest Service Native American Special Emphasis Program organize, support and orchestrate a celebration of Native American traditional practices. This year, Dave Hagen from the Bass Lake RD was the Chairman and did an excellent job of coordinating the event. Dirk Charlie was the Master of Ceremonies and Steve Marsh did the obsidian demonstration. Everyone sat together and enjoyed lunch prepared by High Sierra Ranger District employees Lisa Dow and Marie Riley; Indian tacos, beans, elk stew, rice, and salsa, all for only $5.00.

The great thing about this event was that it included members of the community to contribute their talents and traditions. Sandy Clark and Kelly Marshall demonstrated acorn processing, and Keith Turner shared a prayer. Throughout the day, the Native American drum group “Stone Cloud” entertained and brought along a new female drummer which I understand, is new in the Native American drum world. There was also a native plant discussion, a soap root brush display and a food tasting table with manzanita cider, gooseberry, elderberry jelly, sourberries, piñon, and tea.

The atmosphere of the day was sociable and relaxed allowing a break from our usual bureaucratic business. Getting together for an event like this allows people to meet, greet, and build associations with each other – face to face and friendly. It allows us to take a moment to pause and enjoy the beauty of a hand-made basket, the crafting of a soaproot brush or the spiritual experience of people gathering together in shared interests.