My most recent work is more oriented towards social documentary photography and does not involve "models" posing but human beings as they are. I work with people in real life situations. Think Nan Goldin not Helmut Newton.
I do not work in a studio. I do not photograph staged shots. I do not do 'straight' studio head shots.
I do interpretive portraiture and interpretive head shots.
On rare occasions I will photograph set up pieces as long as they are not simply staged still shots. I will consider certain kinds of set up pieces only if they are event and process oriented and have a natural organic flow. They must offer truthful and authentic documentary opportunities in real time.
I am always considering offers and taking on new projects as scheduling permits. I maintain an interest in all types of assignments. I will consider assignments which only pay minimum expenses.
I have an abiding interest in documentary erotic lifestyle photography. This means I will work with real people in real situations. I record images that offer an entry into subject matter that is near, on or beyond the borders of the taboo. This includes BD-DS-SM, fetishes, body piercing, branding, scarification, tattoos, toys, auto-erotic stimulation, etc.
I am capable of nudes and nude portraiture, but, nudity is never a requirement. My models have always made those decisions and come to me with their requests for that type of work.
My work is mostly all about documenting your lifestyle, your ideas, not mine. I offer my vision and skills in service to you. I employ my vision to make strong visual documents not to perpetuate stereotypes.
I am very selective in all aspects of my life and work. I am always interested in meeting fellow cultural adventurers, adventurous companions, peers and colleagues who share my interests.
Beyond the things listed above I have a wide range of other interests and experience. I am interested in, have and will continue to document non-Western and indigenous spiritual practices and rituals in all forms.
Currently I am working on long term social and cultural documentary projects in New Orleans and the production of two new and large traveling exhibitions.
I can go anywhere in the world if the project is right.
I have always been guided by a wide range of interests in the human condition. These include world wide studies of and/or immersion in various mystical and spiritual traditions and practices from prehistoric to contemporary.
At different times and places since 1998 I have taught college level fine art photography as an adjunct professor; and, I have designed, implemented and taught literacy courses and programs to disadvantaged youth and adults based on the use of still and video cameras.
I used to tell mostly my own stories. I have put some distance between my earlier more personal, autobiographical efforts and my current work. Since an extended residency in the Philippines I discovered that I prefer telling the stories of the people I meet as I travel. I offer my camera and other skills in service to them in order to tell their stories. This way I feel I can help bring some awareness to these people, communities and issues which might otherwise go unnoticed or undocumented.
Going forward I want to continue to use my skills to highlight the status of living cultural treasures. I am especially interested in those that are fragile or endangered. I want to use my skills to break down barriers born of prejudice, address issues of injustice, inequity and bring awareness to social, political and economic issues.
In this regard I am engaged in a variety of ongoing long term projects mainly in New Orleans and the surrounding areas documenting the Post-Katrina recovery states of various folk traditions, communities and subcultures. In New Orleans I have also been invited to design and implement camera based community literacy programs drawing upon my previous experience in that field.
I have been involved with the production of photographs and a wide range of pseudonymous work in other art forms and mediums for over four decades. I have been making photographs since 1969. I studied photography with Henry Holmes Smith at Indiana University. The photographic work covers a wide range of subjects and styles and includes documentary studies, interpretive portraiture, personal art and autobiographical images. My works can be found in numerous private collections.
I am both self represented and represented by Leslie Barany Communications in New York and in Europe. I will soon be engaged in discussions with the Domeischel Gallery in New York City regarding additional representation.
I grew up near Chicago and have lived in Bloomington, Indiana; Los Angeles, near Louisville, Kentucky. Soon I will be living part time in New Orleans. I have had extended residencies in New York City, Woodstock, New York and the Philippines. Currently I split most of my time between Louisville and New Orleans with additional travel as needed.
RECENT EXHIBITIONS:
2008: SIGNS OF LIFE at the University of Louisville's Hite Art Institute's Cressman Center for the Visual Arts Gallery, Louisville, KY.
2008: Jazz Fest, New Orleans
2008: Mardi Gras 360 Online and Mardi Gras 360 at the Jazz and Heritage Foundation Gallery, New Orleans
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2008: SIGNS OF LIFE at the University of Louisville's Hite Art Institute's Cressman Center for the Visual Arts Gallery, Louisville, KY.
1993/1994: 25 Year Retrospective, University of Louisville Photographic Archives.
1992: Van Go's Ear, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, California.
1986: Indiana Architectural Foundation Gallery, Indianapolis, Indiana.
INVITATIONAL GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2007: Expressive Bodies: Contemporary Art Photography from the Kinsey Institute , Bloomington, Indiana and at the Herron School of Art and Design.
2002: Group exhibition, Art At Large Gallery, New York City.
2001: Group exhibition at The Yellow House in Flims, Switzerland: Liste Künstler/Werke für «Die Schaukel (The Swing) - eine Ausstellung zur Erotik» Gelb Haus (18.6.01).
1996: Deep Inside: Museum Show; Lausanne, Switzerland
1992: The Nude, Classic Beauty: The Silver Image Gallery; Seattle, Washington
OTHER EXHIBITIONS:
1991: For Your Pleasure: Louisville,
1989: The Erotica Show: Cafe Dog; Louisville, KY
1986: New Works: Bloomington, IN
1984: Friends and Others: Bloomington, IN
PHOTOGRAPHY IN PERMANENT COLLECTIONS:
1999: The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. A portfolio of 54 photographs added to the permanent collections.
1996: The Museum of Contemporary Erotica in Lausanne, Switzerland. A portfolio of 10 photographs purchased for their permanent collections from inaugural group show: DEEP INSIDE.
1991: The Photographic Archives of the Ekstrom Library, University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. A 25-year Retrospective Portfolio featuring over 140 prints.
1986: The Indiana University Fine Arts Museum
Other Works can be found in in over 200 private collections in the U.S. and Europe, including: Thomas T. Solley, Wendell Cherry, Leslie Barany, Jacques and Anne Baruch and many others.
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES AND CONTACTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
