Artist’s Statement

I am not exactly sure when photography became a part of my life, influencing how I look at things, when I see things and feel the urge to capture that which is in front of me. I suppose it may have started with my very first camera (at the age of nine) when we took off as a family backpacking across the world and passing through such interesting places for my young eyes and mind as Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, and eventually living in various parts of Australia until I was 11. During that time, I carried with me my Kodak Instamatic which used 110 cartridge film. Yes, that is probably when it really began. Since then, photography and the way of seeing has been a part of me, almost like a body part, in many aspects. Sometimes it has become apparent that the best photos have been those that I have not managed to capture, but I keep at it regardless of the kind of camera I have in my hands, as my mind is still working in that way.

Fast forward to today, and I am now in Mazatlán, Mexico taking in the sights and sounds, views, and smells of this fabulous gem on the Pacific Coast of North America. I have not been here long but have found some interesting aspects of Mazatlán to photograph and capture, even if sometimes it seems that there is too much going on to capture it all, let alone make sense of it. But daily I observe and keep my eyes open, and at times bring along one of my three cameras to make some sort of image that will be of interest to me and others. Lots to learn here, as there is a background for much of what I see and for me it is important to understand the culture and language to complete the understanding via a photograph. I hope you enjoy my captures as much as I did in making them.