Skip Smith
TREE SERIES, May 2012
I am inordinately fond of trees and I have been photographing them in groups or singly since I first started. The photographs in this series were, for the most part, not taken consciously as a part of a project. It is only recently that I have specifically searched for tree portraits. Artistically I am drawn to their symmetry, or more importantly, to the lack thereof; their majesty and tenacity are appealing.
I have my favorites, some I have been known to talk to and give friendly pats. Trees are of interest in all stages of their life much like humans. Young ones can be a pain at times; mature are handsome; senescent ones have unparalleled dignity and character. Dead trees, however, provide habitat for all sorts of animals and that is something few of us do.
Many trees are noteworthy because of their sheer audacity to survive in the harshest of conditions. They are slow growing, sculpted by fierce winds, stunted by poor soil or lack of water, disfigured by fire. Others captured my eye by their majesty, growing well isolated and alone or in small family groups. Domesticated varieties also exhibit dignity. They have persevered either in spite of or because of the fact that they were tended and nurtured by humans for use as decoration, shade, and/or fiber.
Books and essays have been and will continue to be written about the importance of trees to ecosystems and their vital and complex roles in nature. More has been written about the many ways in which humans depend on them physically and spiritually. They have long been a major feature in art. I am not trying to add to this literature in any significant way. I am merely recording some of those trees that have captured my eye and sharing them with you. Enjoy.
Skip Smith 2012
Artist Statement
I have had two career loves: the science of Entomology and Photography. Now the science has given way to full time photography. I am largely self-taught but have benefited from many discussions with other artists, and I have taken a few workshops. The most rewarding workshop was with Tim Rudman from England. Tim tamed and explained the lith printing process.
I’ve always been interested in black and white landscape and experimented with many films and processes. Lith is a marvelous printing technique. It can be used to produce images that are somewhat antique and painterly and best expresses my vision. It does not work for everything so I continue to use more traditional darkroom techniques as well. My primary cameras are medium format (Holga and Hasselblad), and 35 mm (regular and half frame).
I prefer making images that make time ambiguous and have very simple composition. I let the viewer decide whether the image was made in the 19th, 20th or 21st century. Presentation has always been important to me. I shy away from traditional framing (but am often forced to use it) and have presented work in an old tin box, hand made books, and series on individual wood panels.
The photographers that I admire most and that have had a great influence on me include Yammamoto Masao, Tim Rudman, Michael Kenna, and Laura Gilpin. They, and others, have freed my mind to explore and experiment. Yammamoto Masao has affirmed my belief that a photograph can be considered an object; it can be handled and admired. A ‘book’ of photographs may be of standard form, folded like an accordion, rolled up in a scroll, or loosely contained in an old box. From Tim Rudman I honed my skills with lith printing; Michael Kenna (and others) showed the importance of simplicity; Laura Gilpin encouraged me to try things that you are not supposed to be able to do.
My dear friends and colleagues Sharon Shoemaker, John Holmgren and Susan Huber opened my mind to thinking outside the box and looking with the eyes of others.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2010 LongThings/Tall Things with Sharon Shoemaker Open Door Gallery, Bayview, WA
2009 Retrospective show with Francy Blumhagen, Langley, WA
2008 Café Tres Rio, Winslow, WA
2006 Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
2004 Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA
2002 LensWork Gallery, Anacortes, WA
AIA Gallery, Portland, OR
Otto’s, Olympia, WA
2001 Friends Gallery, Lakewood, WA
2000 D & M Coffee Shop, Ellensburg, WA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2011 Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA (3 man show)
2011 Dept. of Ecology, Lacey, WA (2 man show)
2010 Museo, Langley, WA
2008 Krappy Kamera Show, Soho Gallery, NY, NY
2006 Bayview Corner, Langley, WA
2004 32nd Annual Photo Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2003 31st Annual Photo Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
Gloria Blisard Purchase Award
Bert Grant Memorial Purchase Award
Honorable Mention
National Art Show, Gallery 76, Wenatchee, WA
35 Artists, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA
Allied Arts Juried Exhibit, Chase Gallery, Spokane, WA
2002 Invitational Photo Show, Oak Hollow Gallery, Yakima, WA
Allied Arts Juried Exhibit, Allied Arts Center Gallery, Yakima, WA
30th Annual Photo Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2001 Move On, Arrowspace Gallery, Olympia, WA
Allied Arts Juried Exhibit, Allied Arts Center Gallery, Yakima, WA
Photography 2001, Nexus Gallery, New York, NY
29th Annual Photo Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
Edmonds Art Festival, Edmonds, WA
2000 Award Winners 1999 Juried Exhibition, Allied Arts Center Gallery, Yakima, WA
Oak Hollow Gallery, Yakima, WA
Gallery One Kittitas Co. Juried Exhibit, Ellensburg, WA
28th Annual Photo Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
Books and Magazines
2009 Light Leaks. Issue 12 Canada
2008 Silvershotz: The International Journal of Fine Art Photography. Vol. 5 Ed. 2
2006 The World of Lith Printing by Tim Rudman
2005 B&W Black and White Magazine for Collectors of fine art photography. Issue 40
2004 Photographs in Deserts of Washington by Susan Swinger and S. D. Smith
COLLECTIONS: Several private and public collections.