Athens Photo Project

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I enjoy creating something new and helping people understand how I feel as an artist. My favorite subjects to photograph are family and nature. I am inspired by the artist Helen Levitt, and the way she captures other people’s emotions. APP has helped me feel less self-conscious, and to spend time around other people. The project has helped me feel more satisfied with myself and my work. I was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1958, but moved to Athens in the 1960s, and have lived here most of my life. I attended school in the Federal Hocking School District, where I took classes in cooking, carpentry, trucking, and Taekwondo. I now hold a first-degree black belt, and love to sing, write songs, and do karaoke. I enjoy photographing the things that I love and that are important in my life. Photography and the Athens Photographic Project have helped me be happy and improve my relationships with others.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I have been a photographer since I was 18 years old. Being out there and shooting is very interesting at times, and keeps me humble and grounded. I get especially excited when I get to photograph unique species of geese, like the blue snow goose. One of my biggest artistic influences is Edward Sheriff Curtis. I admire his adventurous spirit, and how he traveled across the United State to photograph Native Americans and various tribes of Eskimo. I am inspired by the natural world, and, through my photography, I hope to reflect the beauty and depth in the life of plants and animals, which often go overlooked in our daily lives. Through exhibiting my photographs, I wish to show that people with a mental illness are able to contribute to the community as much anyone else. I hope to inspire others who live with mental illness. I was born in Mason, West Virginia, and grew up in Carpenter, Ohio. I have been in and out of Athens my whole life, and moved here in 1988 to be among family and friends. I graduated from Alexander High School in 1981. Afterward, I bought a pocket 110 camera and quickly fell in love with nature photography. I joined the Athens Photographic Project in the spring of 2008, and quickly grew to enjoy the learning atmosphere and the people in my class. My photographs have been part of four VSA Ohio exhibitions and five juried APP exhibitions. I have completed five years of advanced digital photography with the APP, and returned to film classes in 2012, when I also became a teaching assistant/student mentor.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY To be an artist is to create content. I have difficulty being spontaneous, and my images involve a lot of planning and forethought. I must have a topic, or source, or set of parameters in which I create. However, I experience a kind of freedom when I allow myself to view my surroundings through the lens. I love unique compositions, which inspire me to share knowledge with my peers. I am most influenced by the lives of others, which I read about in literature and poetry. I like to get inside other people’s heads and learn about their motivations. APP has helped me socialize and become more open and honest with myself and others. I have learned to express my needs, wants, and opinions in a way that is beneficial, thoughtful, and kind. If my photography can take the viewer somewhere, then I have more than accomplished my goal. I joined the APP in 2010, and received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant in 2012. The way I photograph changes with the seasons of my life. Sometimes it is a struggle to intentionally create, especially when I am struggling with depression or hopelessness. When good things happen, when I am happy and healthy, I become more prolific. Photography is an extension of joy. Although almost all of last year was an uphill trek that left me emotionally and physically exhausted, the APP classes and community kept me going.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY For me, being an artist means having the ability to capture and share a moment in time, with the hope of eliciting thoughts and reactions in viewers. I’m most inspired by family, friends, and objects in my everyday life. Currently, I prefer to work in black-and-white photography, but I have only scratched the surface of what I can do with my camera. I prefer to work alone, free from distractions. Enrolling in APP classes has helped me engage with the world outside of my home. I was born in Nelsonville, Ohio, but grew up in Athens. After graduating from Athens City schools, I joined the Navy for four years, and then earned my Associate’s degree in Petroleum Management and Technology from Hocking College. I also went through the first Athens County Sherriff Citizens Academy in 2011 and received my certificate for completion of classes. I took my first photography class in high school, but life prevented me from further pursuing this interest. When I heard about the Athens Photographic Project, I immediately signed up for the next class. I find it much easier to express myself through photography than through words. Looking at the world through the camera viewfinder has enabled me to see the beauty around me, rather than focus on the darkness that has consumed a lot of my life. I hope that my images can inspire others to take a closer look at their surroundings, as well as relate to the emotions I am trying to convey.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I grew up in Athens, Ohio, surrounded by family and the beauty of the region. I have been taking pictures most of my life, but began to seriously pursue photography when I joined the APP in the winter of 2010. I have participated in film and digital classes since then. I enjoy the challenge of photography, and its ability to express the many different aspects of a person. I focus mainly on photographing friends, pets, nature, and historical sites in Athens and surrounding areas, all of which are a big part of my life. I would like other people to see the beauty I see, and the love I have for all things within my photographs. From 2012 to 2015, I have created and sold photo greeting cards for the Nelsonville community. My work has also been exhibited in two VSA Ohio exhibitions and five APP exhibitions.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Most of my life, I have made things: folk art, furniture, dolls, and now, fine art photography. The need to create, plan a project, and achieve my vision is vital to me. I can’t imagine my life without making art. Earlier in my life, I was given the gift of a formal art education. I began to see things in a completely new way: the beauty of a line, the brilliance of a color, the essence of a subject as captured by a camera. Each day, I get new ideas, keeping me excited and motivated. I feel like a kid inside. APP has changed my life in so many ways, that it’s hard to know where to begin. Each week, I have a nurturing environment where I can share my artwork. I have made great friendships with fellow artists, who are supportive and encouraging. I am inspired by my APP classmates every week, as well as by artists Tom Balys, Ken Johnson, Frida Khalo, and Salvador Dali. I was born in Helsinki, Finland, and grew up in Columbia Park, Maryland. I moved to southeast Ohio in 1994, and have enjoyed the peace and beauty of the area ever since. I studied photography at Ohio University, where I graduated in 2012 with my B.S.S. degree in the arts. My experience at OU, combined with the suggestions of friends and my counselor, prompted me to join the Athens Photographic Project in the spring of 2014. I appreciate the friendliness of the group, as well as the opportunity to learn more about photography and techniques that give me greater artistic control. Photography and all creative processes give me the freedom to express my feelings and illustrate what is important to me. Sharing my images with others allows me to feel like I am a part of something.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I love the freedom that photography gives me to express my feelings. I create a lot of my work with my friends, their children, and their animals. APP has helped me get out of my shell and meet new people. I am no longer afraid to be myself, or to take pictures of what I like. I am inspired by artists including Duane Michaels, who has given me insight into my funny side. I am from Ashford, West Virginia, and have lived in Athens County since 1987, and I have always enjoyed the atmosphere of Southeastern Ohio. I have been involved with photography through the APP since the fall of 2010, and have exhibited work in four juried exhibitions thus far. I enjoy taking photographs of my varied interests, as well as expressing myself through the camera lens, which helps with my mental stability. I worked as a gallery attendant at the Elise Sanford Art Gallery, and hope to continue my association with the APP. The Athens Photographic Project has helped me get involved with the community and has given me a whole new way of looking at life.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Legally blind since infancy, I have become more aware of my surroundings through photography. I notice the beauty of the world around me, and have found a new way of seeing the world. For me, photography is a sudden process of discovery. As I look through the lens of a camera, I look deeper into a scene, and am able to see beyond what is first evident. I never see broadly. Focusing on one subject in a scene excites me, and I play with an image until it creates an intimate experience and becomes what I am trying to say. My images often incorporate textures, reflections, lines, and layers. I never considered that I could use what I am able to see to express my inner voice, dancing with the camera until it becomes me. My photographs convey more than words ever could. I can talk about my feelings through the photographs. I was born in Canton, New York, and moved to Athens, Ohio, when I was four years old. I earned my Bachelor's degree from Ohio University, and decided to stay in the region, where I have enjoyed the small-town life and friendly community. I began photography classes with the Athens Photographic Project in the fall of 2007, having never explored the art world or the creative process before. I have been an active member of the APP ever since, and recently completed my fifth year of digital classes. I also serve on the board of directors for the APP, as well as The National Alliance on Mental Illness. In 2010, I received the Mental Health Advocate of the Year award from the 317 Board. I have participated in eight juried APP exhibitions, three VSA Ohio exhibits. I received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant in 2012 and 2013. I also enjoy being a member of the Calliope Women’s Choir of Athens, Ohio.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Art helps me to see, appreciate, and share the things I find interesting and beautiful in everyday life. I do a lot of nature shooting, so I depend on the seasons, the time of day, and lighting – all of which are constantly changing. I think of photography as an adventure, and APP gives me a reason to get out and explore. APP has helped me to have hope, and to appreciate life much more. I was born in San Francisco, but relocated to Springfield, Ohio, and eventually moved to Athens in 2013. I graduated from Springfield North High School and Clark County Joint Vocational School. I worked as a heavy equipment operator for 25 years, but my mental health problems eventually prevented me from continuing. I first got into photography in the 1980s, when I got a 35mm camera, but I later lost interest. I became interested in photography again when I got my iPhone, and in 2013, when I joined the Athens Photographic Project. Photography helps me express his feelings and see the beauty of the world around me that I once took for granted.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY As an artist, I can share the beautiful “nature” of my world with others. I live in Appalachia, where I capture images of the countryside that development has not touched yet. My images represent nostalgia, and how I wish things were like they used to be. The nature photos I take represent a world untouched by manmade progress. In creating my work, I travel through southeastern Ohio and West Virginia, where I photograph the wilderness, mountains, and country settings. My mental illness can cause me to isolate myself from others. Photography has made it possible for me to be involved with something bigger than myself, to be a part of a group, and to be proud of who I am, in spite of my symptoms. I was born in Charleston, West Virginia, and moved to Athens County in 1983 to attend college. I began participating in the Athens Photographic Project in 2007, and has explored both digital and film photography. I have participated in 11 juried photography exhibitions, and was awarded for my work in film photography by VSA Ohio in 2009. I received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant in 2012 and 2014. I explore subject matter representing aspects of country life that I personally identify with, and hope to share a moment in my life with you, the viewer. I use photography to alleviate symptoms of mental instability and to help with personal recovery.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY My grandbabies are the best part of my artwork. Collaborating with my grandson is a big part of why I am still taking photos. By photographing my grandbabies, I am keeping them young forever. I am inspired in my work by my fellow APP artists, including Sandy Frazier. A photo she took of her mother reminded me of a better time and safer place. I was born and raised near Glouster, Ohio, and have lived in Athens County all of my life with my family and, now, my grandchildren. I graduated from Glouster High School in 1978, studied food service at Tri-County Joint Vocational School, and worked as a cashier and stockperson at Odd Lots. I had some experience with photography, and, at the recommendation of my counselor, joined the Athens Photographic Project in the fall of 2013. I love all of my classmates. Art provides an opportunity for me to express myself and share with others how the world looks and feels to me.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY For me, being an artist means capturing the beauty of the world around me, and bringing that beauty into other people’s lives. I have been on many hikes with my family, and I try to let my love of nature show in my work. My two favorite artists are Ansel Adams and Caspar David Friedrich. My photos capture the essence of a particular place and time, and demonstrate that I have found beauty in many different settings. I hope they help viewers make a real connection to their surroundings, and to see the world in a new way. I was born in Athens, Ohio, where I have lived for most of my life. My father, an avid amateur photographer, first introduced me to photography. Interested in learning more, I joined the APP in the fall of 2007. I have been a part of eight juried APP exhibitions and two VSA Ohio traveling exhibitions. I have completed advanced-level film and digital photography classes, had four photo books published, and received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant in 2012. APP has given me an artistic outlet and helped me create artwork that I am proud of. I have made many friends, and photography captures and reminds me of happy memories.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and have now lived in Athens for 26 years. I started a career in the area in 1988, and love living in the countryside. I learned about the Athens Photographic Project through my counselor, who recommended it to me. I enjoy the program because it has allowed me to meet new friends. Photography helps me find happiness and express my feelings.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY My camera writes the poems that give my heart the courage to go on. The beauty of such a craft comes from the heart, and needs to be seen as such. As an artist, I feel like I can achieve just about anything. I specialize in nature photography, and am influenced by publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and Wild Ohio. The APP has changed my life in many ways. I have met a lot of wonderful people, many of whom have also been my mentors. I was born in Akron, Ohio, but grew up in the southeastern part of the state. I moved to Athens in 1995, purely out of curiosity. The beauty of the city has kept me here. Calligraphy and poetry first introduced me to art. In the fall of 2007, I joined the APP and completed film and digital classes. My work has since been part of eight juried APP exhibitions and three VSA Ohio traveling exhibitions. I am currently working on images that have stretched me mentally and physically. I hope that by exhibiting my work, the public will see me as a person who shares this world with the rest of humanity, rather than as someone isolated by mental illness. In addition, I am mentor to the introductory APP classes, an adventure I began in the fall of 2011.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I make stuff that didn’t exist before. My artwork involves family connections, collaboration, finding beauty in the world, and experimentation. When I photograph, I see lines become crosses, crosses become boxes, and boxes become diamonds. I try to keep my camera with me all the time, so that I am ready to take a picture when something catches my interest. Artists including Leonardo DaVinci and M.C. Escher inspire me most. I was born in Columbus, and have lived in southeast Ohio since I was in the third grade. After graduating from Nelsonville-York High School, I worked in various kinds of construction jobs. Hoping to earn a living with my brain instead of my back, I returned to school at Hocking College, where I earned Associate’s degrees in computer programming and network systems. Aside from taking a few photos when someone handed me a camera, my first photographic experience was in the eighth grade, when I took a black-and-white photography class. I received my first digital camera around 2007, and have been shooting up a storm ever since.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Creativity is breath to me. Without art, life would be just existence. I was raised in Athens, Ohio. Since childhood, I have loved stories, and creating worlds inhabited by my own characters, beings, and creatures. I deeply appreciate the connection amongst all things. I cherish the special bond I share with my animal companions, as well as the necessity of imagination. I was eight when I received a Brownie Hawkeye kit to keep me from sneaking my dad's more expensive Kodak, and have owned a camera of one type or another ever since. I joined the Athens Photographic Project shortly after Elise Sanford founded it in 2000. From then on, photography became my primary creative outlet. I can say quite honestly that the APP saved me from myself. Before then, I had shunned a vital intangible every living thing craves beyond survival: the desire for self-expression. After taking a few years off to meet personal commitments, I rejoined APP in 2008 to learn the manual camera. Five years later, I discovered character photography, and have since concentrated my work in that area, balancing this with my love for photographing my animal companions. Over the years, my greatest inspirations have been Anthony Hopkins, Ray Bradbury, Yayoi Kusama, Red Skelton, Andy Warhol, and "The Rat Lady." Everyone involved with APP, the years I've served as a mentor, grants from the Ohio Arts Council, and the wonderful experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise – all have been crucial elements in shaping who I am currently as an individual and as an artist.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I was born in Nebraska and moved to Ohio in 1975 to attend Ohio University, where I studied studio art and education. I began photographing in the fall 2009, when I joined the APP, and have since completed film and digital photography classes. I have participated in four juried APP exhibitions, and received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant in 2012. I am 57 years old and wish I had started working with photography much sooner in life. I have enjoyed every subject I have photographed. Bringing photography into my life has supported my spirituality. It is like a living prayer when I’m out shooting: Photography has connected me with the world again. I like to create pictures that make others discover their playful mind’s eye.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY For me, being an artist means creating something of personal value - both to myself, and to those with whom I share. Each day, I find beauty in the essence of nature and within that beauty lies tranquility. In a continual search for peace, I document the natural world with soft focus, curve and reflection. With this softening effect, I hope to create an image, instead of simply recording it. The Pictorialists of the late 1800's and early 1900's are my biggest artistic influence. Coming together with a community of artists in the Athens Photographic Project has brought inspiration, insight, and focus to my practice. APP has provided motivation, education, and support, through which I have grown personally and professionally. All of this has brought value to my art. I have been a photographer with the Athens Photographic Project since 2011. I look to the inspiration of the outdoors to explore elements of beauty and peace. Living in Athens, Ohio, I spend time as a Bible teacher, indulge in herb gardening, and am beginning to learn the art of oil painting. I make my home with my daughter, dog, and cat.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY To me, being an artist means making unique things that are powered by originality. The photographer edits the world. If you can’t find something unique and interesting, make it yourself. I usually take photos in my own private spaces, when no one else is around. For me, photography is like a solitary act of goofing off. I use objects from flea markets and thrift stores, things that someone else gave away, souvenirs of travel, outdated decorations -- the forgotten objects of American capitalism and culture. I find that I am most inspired by surrealist photographs. I don’t have any definite idea of what to photograph, and simply experiment to see what’s possible. The art comes first, and any questions of meaning follow. APP has given me some structure in my life, a place to be with like-minded people, and the means to make art. Participation has provided validation for my work. I am from Hockingport, Ohio, and have lived in Athens County for 47 years, 17 of them in Athens itself. I still make time for the hills and forests of my family home. I attended Federal Hocking High School and graduated from Ohio University in 1990. My technological pets include manual typewriters and old cameras. I have always been interested in photography, but did not fully engage with it until the first APP classes in 2001. I returned to the APP in 2009, and have been an active artist ever since. While I have dabbled in poetry, prose and music, I am immensely pleased that my photography helped secure me an Ohio Arts Council grant in 2012. I embrace technical challenges and favor process-driven creativity that is filled with uncertainty and chance. Originality is difficult given the long history of photography. Even so, millions still take photos for their own enjoyment and fulfillment. The photograph is the haiku of America.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I used to have cataracts. Once I had the lenses in both of my eyes replaced in 2013, I could see clearly again, and I realized what a beautiful place the world is. I have been photographing ever since. Before becoming physically disabled, I was an avid outdoorsman, which has influenced some of my photographic interests. I am interested in wildlife, still life, and landscape photography. I see beautiful things all around me, and want to record them and show them to others. Since I have difficulty getting around, I spend much of my time photographing at home. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I attended Ohio University in the 1970s, and returned to go to graduate school in 1987. I am now in Athens to stay. I am a disabled Veteran. I joined the Athens Photographic Project in August of 2014. I have met many great people in the APP, and have learned a great deal about photography as fine art.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Humanity is beautiful yet complex. I always search for the not-so-clear boundaries between the two. It is curious how art lends its self so well to expressing these things with grace and clarity. I was born and raised outside New York City, and came to Athens in 1990 to visit a friend. I never left. I love the small-town life that the area offers. I graduated with a B.A. degree in English from New Rochelle College in 1985, and began working in the mental health field in 1990. I continued to provide support services while struggling and fighting my own depression. These experiences have brought me knowledge and compassion. I have a longstanding interest in art and poetry. I was excited to have the opportunity to join the APP in January 2012. I have focused on becoming more disciplined and versatile in my photography, and now hope to grow as an artist by becoming more technically proficient. I wish to engage the imagination of those viewing my work, and to leave a lasting impression. I am grateful for my teachers’ patience and dedication.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Being an artist is the essence and purpose of my life. An artist is someone who creatively expresses a specific skill. My photography is like patchwork, wherein I try to combine personal injury and art. I like to create work that is eclectic, and that uses techniques such as double-exposure and abstraction. I hope to create timeless images that suggest that life isn’t just an aimless course. Artists like Helen Levitt inspire me most. APP has helped me create heartwarming images that empower me through life’s darkest moments. I used to live in Hocking County, but moved to Athens in the early 1990s, after I was hospitalized and became homeless. Since then, I have earned my GED, attended college courses, and worked at Nelson McCoy Pottery in Roseville, Ohio, among other jobs. I am a published poet, and had my photographs featured in a juried photography exhibition for the first time in 2014. For me, photography has been both enjoyable and challenging, and has provided an effective means of self-expression.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY My dog, Noah, has many sides to his personality, and I try to illustrate these through my work. I came into APP not knowing much about photography. Now I feel I’m better, and am doing the best that I can. I’m more outgoing, and I feel more comfortable talking to people. I was born in Nelsonville, Ohio, and continue to live in the area. I appreciate nature and the outdoors, and have remained in southeast Ohio because of the beautiful hills and places like Strouds Run Park. I graduated from Nelsonville-York High School and went on to study environmental health at Hocking College and Ohio University, where I earned Associate’s and B.S. degrees. In the fall of 2011, my case manager and counselor advised me to try my skills at APP. I had no previous camera experience, but photography has opened the world to me. I enjoy taking pictures of beauty in nature, the hills, the trees, flowers, and most of all, my dog, Noah. In 2011, my work was included in a VSA Ohio statewide, juried exhibition.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY To me, an artist is someone who takes part in creative activities as a means of self-expression. I consider myself to be an artist and simply enjoy taking pictures. Photography benefits me in a personal way and gives me direction in life. The world around me is my inspiration. At times, I try to make ordinary things look interesting, which is the way I see them. In my work, precision and focusing on the details is important. My art is special to me because it allows me to capture a moment in time and treasure it. APP and my artistic practice have changed my life. In addition to exploring it, I am more involved with the community. APP has helped me become a better photographer and it gives me the tools I need to continue growing as an artist. I was born in Athens, and enjoy the scenery and local residents of southeast Ohio. I am an environmental, animal, and human rights activist, and have always enjoyed art of all kinds. I got into photography as a child when I used a Polaroid One Step and disposable cameras. Later, I grew to enjoy using digital cameras. I learned about the Athens Photographic Project when my mother joined the program several years ago, and have been involved myself since the fall of 2013. I am grateful to APP not only for teaching me about photography, but for deepening my appreciation of the medium. I believe that photography is a means for people to express themselves in a creative way and to preserve visual memories. I can find beauty in almost everything, and believe that anything can be art.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY To me, to be an artist is to express a way of life in my own unique manner. When I take photos, I look at how they relate to me at that moment in time. If I’m happy, I’m more inclined to take brighter photos. If I’m sad, I take darker photos, or none at all. If it weren’t for the APP, I would not be where I am today, or have gotten as far as I have. In one way or another, all of our assignments have impacted me and helped me grow as a person and artist. With the help of APP, my work made it to VSA Ohio. I was born in Canton, Ohio, and moved to Athens in the spring of 2013. Photography has been a passion of mine since I was a child, and I joined the Athens Photographic Project in 2013. I appreciate how accepting my classmates and instructor are of me and my photographs; I have not felt this kind of acceptance very often in my life, so it is important to me. Photography allows me to express myself better than words do, and helps me feel at peace and centered. Right before I take a picture, my mind temporarily stops racing, and I feel at ease.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Art makes me feel like I am someone. It gives me a sense of excitement, accomplishment, and belonging. Self-portraiture, in particular, has helped bring me out of my shell. I am no longer insecure or self-conscious about my looks. APP and photography have helped me with my depression by allowing me to accept whatever I’m feeling, and by helping me get out of my house. I enjoy traveling around and documenting nature’s beauty. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and am one of eight children. I moved to Athens as a teenager with my family. I am now a mother of three and grandmother of six. I enjoy gardening, landscaping, and photography. I graduated from Federal Hocking High School in 1974. I have always admired landscape paintings, and have brought this inspiration into my own photography. I joined the APP in the fall of 2011 in order to learn photography, and have stayed involved because of the great atmosphere for learning, new friendships, and valuable peer support. Where some paint with brushes and canvas, I paint with my camera. My work has been shown in multiple VSA Ohio exhibitions, and this year will mark my fourth APP annual exhibition.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Art has given me a voice of self-expression. When I’m taking photos, I’m in the moment, and nothing else in my life enters my mind. As a photographer, I notice things that used to pass me by. Now all kinds of things flirt with me. APP has given me a sense of community and a way to express myself that I never thought possible. I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Athens in 2003. I joined the Athens Photographic Project in 2004. Since then, I have participated in seven APP exhibitions, shown work in four statewide VSA Ohio exhibitions, had my photograph featured on the cover of NAMI-Ohio Magazine, received the Rita Gallic Mental Health Advocacy Award, and served as a mentor in the APP. In 2012, I received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant, and I am currently serving on the APP's Board of Directors. In the past, I was a landscape photographer, but I now enjoy exploring abstract photography as well. I hope to continue in photography and the APP, deepening my appreciation of the life around me.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY To me, being an artist means being able to share my work with the world from my perspective. I enjoy creating memories, as well as photographing landscapes. They change with the seasons, just as everyday life changes. My camera allows me to get out more often, and to visit places I haven’t been before. Photography is a big part of my life, but I also enjoy fishing, hunting, and the great outdoors. I was born in Athens County, Ohio, and have lived here all of my life. I became involved in photography during APP’s fall 2009 class, and recently completed my fourth year of digital classes. In 2012, I received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant. All photography subjects interest me. By exploring, I have learned patience, gained control of my life, met new people, and learned to see the world from a different perspective – one of enjoyment. By exhibiting photographs, I hope to share what I have seen and how I have felt. I am expressing feelings and telling the world about my life.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Originally from Columbus, Ohio, I have lived on and off in Athens throughout most of my life. I joined the APP in the fall of 2009, and recently completed my sixth year of classes. I am interested in photographing people, animals and nature. I also like to express feelings and emotions through my images. I enjoy photography's ability to capture these moments in time, and I hope to share my work with others.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I was born in 1951 in Elkhart, Indiana, and now live in Athens, Ohio. I attended Ohio University, focusing on stage design and theater technology, and earned my B.A. degree in general studies in 1976. I have been a prominent member of the APP since 2000, and served as a class mentor for several years. My photographs have been included in thirteen juried exhibitions. I received an Ohio Arts Council individual artist grant in 2007; was awarded “Best of Show” in the 2009 VSA Ohio exhibition; and received the Rita Gillick Mental Health Advocate Award. My photographic process is inspired by humanism as well as elements of the scientific method: ob¬serving, experimenting, recording, and analyzing results. My major subjects include portraits and self-portraits, architecture, and musings on daily life.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I have lived most of my physical life in Ohio, but have traveled extensively in the United States and overseas. I live with my two children, who have been an inspiration for my photography since they arrived into this world. I have always been into the creative arts, and once even studied classical music. These days, I prefer photography as my expressive and creative outlet. I have a particular interest in capturing the human experience, and enjoy the challenge of bringing my dreams to the surface so that others may dream also.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I struggled with my work in woodcut printmaking for 27 years. I then found my roots and passion in abstract art. My second year with the Athens Photographic Project, I found my calling: nighttime photography. I love to paint, distort, and warp the light with my camera. I’ve realized that I am a surrealist, and am now at peace with myself and my work. I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, as one of eleven children. I came to Athens in 1991 and fell in love with the country life of southeast Ohio. My daughter was born in Athens in 1994. I have deep roots in Athens because of all the people and places I know here. I have studied at several universities in Ohio. While studying business, I “drifted” into the arts and found an outlet for expression. In 1991, I earned my B.F.A. in printmaking and minored in photography at Wright State University. I then went to Ohio University to pursue graduate studies in printmaking. In the fall of 2011, I joined APP, which has given me a brand new kind of exposure to photography, and has opened his eyes in new directions.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY For me, photography is a way to share my voice, and to get other people to think and talk about important issues. The Athens Photographic Project has given me an outlet for my activism, and a way to inspire others. I was born in Houston, Texas, and have lived in southeast Ohio for 19 years. I have always been interested in art, and began my study of photography as part of APP’s first class in 2000. I returned to the APP in the spring of 2008, and recently completed my sixth year of digital photography classes. My work has won several awards, and has been displayed in eight juried APP exhibitions and several traveling VSA Ohio exhibitions. Recently, I have explored various means of creating abstract photographs, including the use of multiple exposures and negatives.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY I was born in Waco, Texas, near the North Branch of the Brazos River. As the son of a military man, I moved around a lot, from the great Southwest, to the deep South, to the far Northeast. I began my journey into photography when, as a child, I used a Brownie camera to photograph my first experience with death: the funeral procession of JFK, which I saw on the console of my black-and-white television. I began digital photography classes with the APP in the fall of 2010, and have participated and exhibited with the project ever since. In 2012, I received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant. The main subjects of my photography are scenics, nature, and wildlife, although I have attempted to broaden my horizons while working within APP. Bringing glimpses of my reality is one of the reasons I’ve stayed with photography for so long. The APP has become the spark for what once lay dormant.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Having a different vision of reality gives me a strong sense of self and self-esteem. I feel exhilarated while working, and I generally see and think of what I want to shoot pretty quickly. What has been presented in classes always is imprinted on my brain. I have studied the classical photographers, such as Ansel Adams, for years, and yet, I always learn something new. I am very grateful for the opportunities that APP has given to me throughout the years. I was born in Columbus, Ohio, and currently reside in Athens. My interest in photography began when I was a young girl, when I watched my father make photographs. Teachers encouraged me to create art throughout life. I received two years of bachelor-level education in the department of photography and cinematography at Ohio State University. I have photographed weddings and portraiture on a professional level for several years. APP founder Elise Sanford encouraged me to join the APP in 2001, where I participated in classes for two years. I returned to the APP in 2008, and have since been active in exhibitions, advanced-level classes, the former gallery, and mentoring.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY Being in the APP gives me a chance to get out and explore what is going on around me. I feel at peace when I am taking pictures, and it helps take my mind off of my bipolar disorder. I often photograph old objects and buildings that remind me of the past, when coal was the main source of income. APP has changed my life by giving me the chance to get out of myself. I was raised and continue to live in Glouster, Ohio. I have stayed in Glouster because I love the area, my family, and the community. I attended school in Glouster and received my GED in 1981. I then studied police science at the Hocking College Police Academy. I became interested in photography when two of my friends shared their photographs from APP with me. This motivated me to join the APP in the fall of 2011. Through my photography, I express my recovery and document my journey. I have completed film and digital photography classes.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY It may sound selfish, but I enjoy my own results as a photographer. Although I accept and appreciate encouragement from others, it is this sort of “self-amusement” that is my primary motivation to continue shooting. I was born in Uppsala, Sweden, in 1965, and moved to Manhattan, Kansas, in 1968 before coming to Athens, Ohio, in 1981. I have always been curious about photography and was among the students in APP’s first classes in 2000. I have shown work in eight juried APP exhibitions and received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Grant.

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY To be an artist means accessing and acting on the creative spark that lies in all of us. It involves looking inward, but also outward, and embracing both the beautiful and ugly parts of the soul. To me, art can encompass all. When I shoot, I first look for subject matter, then colors, shapes and composition. I enjoy photographing the absurd and paradoxical, and am sometimes surprised by the pictures my subconscious third eye comes up with. My favorite artists are Diane Arbus, Gary Winogrand, and Robert Frank. The Athens Photographic Project gives me the creative outlet I desperately need. My peers and teachers support me through the ups and downs of mental illness. I was born in Queens, New York, and have gypsied around the United States. I have always considered Athens my hometown, as this is where my mother's family lives. I have been a permanent resident of Athens for nine years and an on-and-off member of the Athens Photographic Project for eight. I enjoy traveling, but nothing beats coming home to my loving pets.