Alley in Aberdeen, Washington
Susie and I were on a road trip to southwest Washington, staying in familiar places - the Tokeland Hotel, Lebam, Grayland, Ocean Shores. When we got to Aberdeen, we spent the afternoon looking for traces of Kurt Cobain. We found his alley. Susie wrapped herself in cellophane. I asked the refuse collection truck driver coming down the alley if he could wait a few minutes while I made a photograph. He smiled, smoked a cigarette and watched us work.
Shed in Anacortes, Washington
Early morning in April. Walking back to Sally’s house after breakfast in downtown Anacortes. Cutting through alleys is enlightening. Local culture and history speak through muffled layers of paint. Old cedar shingles and a marine thermometer.
Church in Linden, Idaho
A small ghost town several miles from Kendrick. Local farm families still worship here and faithfully maintain this hundred year old church. The decorations on the piano are sheaves of wheat from the fields outside.
Haunted Palouse, Eastern Washington
October, the town of Palouse in Eastern Washington spends weeks preparing its old buildings for evenings of scary events. People stand in line. Girls scream. Costumed citizens prowl the streets. The local tavern serves a lot of beer and food for visiting college students taking a break from mid-term finals. The air is chilly.
Mother and Daughter in Palouse, Washington
One day I asked Tiana if she would pose for an informal portrait. She graciously agreed to help. We walked upstairs into the hundred year old Palouse bank building and found a corner near one of the windows.
Memories of Lovers
This conceptual piece has not yet been printed. It will be a very large exhibition print since the elements in it (fallen leaves as memories) occupy a small space in the center of experience.
Little Mad Dog
In a special project at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, I photographed frozen, sliced animals for anatomical reference materials. This is my favorite image from that unique experience (darkfield transillumination for you techies).
Raven’s Daughters
In the the beginning, the world was dark; a jealous chief kept the sun in a box. Raven was frozen as a fir tree, his feathers as needles, his legs as trunks, cold in the moonlight. Raven’s daughters stole the sun from the box and with the chief chasing, laughingly rolled it to the edge of the world. They ran to Raven and warmed him with their bodies, freeing him from his fate.
Rental Boats at University of Washington
In winter, aluminum boats at Lake Washington rest upside down.
Earth Spirit by Jan Hopkins
Jan Hopkins is one of the premier traditional and contemporary fiber artists in the world. I enjoyed working with Jan when my studio was in Everett where Jan lives. One day she walked in with this unique piece made from agave cactus and lotus pods.
