| Why I Do What I Do When I Do It | How I Became A World-Famous Photographer (Someday Soon) | ||
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This is a shot of me doing my favorite thing - shooting - taken by my favorite photographer (see right). |  |
Here's me at my first juried art show. My picture of the flower buds was chosen for the "6x6" show at Northern Kentucky University. Main Gallery in the Fine Arts Center - Feb. 10 to Mar. 5, 2005. |
| Go to Chas. E. Martin's Portfolio Site www.chasemartin.com |
Go to Mary B. Martin's Portfolio Site www.marybmartin.com |
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From early childhood – I could never accept something at face value. I could never simply agree that something existed and leave it at that. I had to know how it worked, why it worked, where it came from, where it was going, who put it there and why, could it be used for something else, and if it breaks – who fixes it. I incorporate something into my knowledge base only after a thorough examination and a ground-up understanding of the underlying purpose, systems, and structure. Ever since I took up the designation of artist – I have held in mild disdain those whose prosaic explanations and justifications go on long after any interest in the work has faded. Visual art should stand or fall on the visual aspects. If a work needs pages of prose to explain it, perhaps the novel is the more appropriate expression. My artistic life has mirrored that same framework of inquiry. My subject matter invariably gravitates toward the underlying structures, purposes, and systems of the subjects depicted in my photographs. I use visual clues to point toward the underlying processes and thereby reveal the truest forms and veiled motives. Baha’u’llah taught that everything in the physical world is the symbolic representation of a higher universal truth. I am learning to parse vision the way others diagram language. Symbols are my language; light is my voice. Chas. E. Martin |
I've been on the planet since the Eisenhower administration. Born and raised in Holland, Michigan and trained as a Registered Nurse right out of high school. Moved to Cincinnati shortly after being married in the mid-70's and raised two children (one each) here. Other than snapshots of vacations and birthdays - I wasn't much interested in photography until mid-2004. Digital photography opened up this field to me because of the ability to shoot and shoot until you get it right - since you're not burning film - you're not burning money. Instant feedback is a wonderful teacher. It was probably fate - my husband and daughter are professional photographers - and have been very supportive. I'm still trying to master all of the intricacies of Photoshop - my husband fills in there until my computer skills match my photographic skills. I hope you enjoy looking at my work as much as I've enjoyed creating it. Mary B. Martin
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Website Designed and Maintained by Chas. E. Martin - Site Updated 9 Nov 2005