Every dog has its day.

Bob Marley was right.

In one of his most famous songs, he crooned, "Everything's gonna be all right." And, it certainly was for me this winter here on St. Croix.

In my previous post, I talked about my goal of 1) becoming established as a landscape photographer here, and 2) making top-notch images of the island. I also talked about my then-upcoming solo show and live auction. I'm happy to report that I was successful on all fronts.

The live auction went well. I sold my large piece for more than my generous minimum and got some great exposure. The solo show went even better. I sold 50% more than my target and made lots of new contacts.

Of course, driving all of this was the images themselves.

I spent more time shooting this winter than the previous ten combined. I was out in the field shooting every single day for weeks at a time. (That's not counting time spent scouting, editing, etc.) I explored nearly every nook and cranny on the entire island -- if there was an unexplored dirt road -- any unexplored dirt road -- I went down it. I now know the island better than many people who've lived here their whole lives. And you know what? It was very rewarding! I now have a deeper connection to this place than ever, and I believe it's shown through in my work.

Speaking of my work, let's get to it, shall we?

Below are all the new images created this past December through March. Most of these were in my solo show. Please note that these weren't the only images that were in the show -- these are just the ones created this winter. You can view larger versions of all of these as well as all my other St. Croix images in my St. Croix Gallery.

Well, that about does it for now. Take care, and listen to Bob Marley whenever you can. ^_^

"Under The Seagrapes"

"Moonlit Cane Bay"

"Hidden Gem"

"The Golden Hour"

"A Window To The Past"

"Defiant Beauty"

"Caledonia Cascade"

"Immortal Monolith"

"Jewel Of The Jungle"

"Shining Sugar Mill"

"Cane Bay Explosion"

Filling The Void

AbsolutelyfrigginNUTS!

That newly coined word (I'll expect royalties if you use it) is the best way to describe the past two months. For the first time in the decade since I first started visiting and living on St. Croix, I've begun to make a concerted effort at becoming established as THE landscape photographer on the island. I've often felt that good landscape photography is somewhat of an unfilled niche here, and I'm endeavoring to be the one that fills it.

Thus far, it's gone very well.

For starters, some of my work has been accepted into the fabulous D&D Studio, which is the only fine art photography gallery on the island, and believe it or not, the entire Caribbean. Next, the resturaunt Bacchus, one of the finest resturaunts onisland, will be displaying some of my work in their dining room. In addition, some of my work has been selected for a prestigious live auction in March. The auction director feels certain my work will perform very well with her high-end clients. (Here's to hoping she's right!) Lastly, and best off all, I have an upcoming solo show on February 26th at the new MacheteMachete gallery in downtown Christiansted. At the show, I will be unveiling all new images from around the island.

Below is a sneak peak of what will be found at the show. You'll have to wait until February 26th to see the rest, so I hope you can make it. If not, I will have all the images posted to my site within a couple days after the show. Until next time, take care! (And keep warm if you're currently in the Great White North.) ^_^

Mahogany Waterfall

Shining Sugarmill

Cane Bay Explosion

Out Of This World!

As promised, here are some more images from my recent trip to the southwestern US, this time without the silly cowboy accent (you can exhale now).

These images are from a place called White Pocket. A very ordinary name for a very extraordinary place. My first thought upon arriving was, "What in the HELL?!" Primitive, I know, but honestly, in all my travels I'd never seen anything like it. Not even under my couch.

At first, it was hard not to believe that these formations were the calling card of aliens and UFO's. Turns out these "brain rocks" as they're called are nothing more than petrified sand dunes, which almost came as a let down.

Nevertheless, as photography subjects, they were without equal. I spent hours exploring the area. Then, way in a far flung corner, I found this spot where these little round pebbles had been driven into the cracks in the brain rock by the wind. I sat for hours alone in this spot waiting for the sun to drop. It was the most peaceful time I had on the entire trip.

That's all for now. I'll have more images from the trip soon. Until then, take care!

Alien World (Large version HERE.)

Dragon Scales

Yippee ki-yay, motherfuc*er!

Howdy, partner! Rustle up a chair and perk up your ears, for I got me a tale that needs a-tellin' and I reckon you're gonna like it.

I'm recently returned from my expedition to the southwestern US, and holy cow what an adventure it was! I moseyed through numerous slot canyons and deserts, ran over many a poor tumbleweed, drank some coffee that would wake the dead, slogged miles up a swift-movin' river, slept in sub-freezin' temps, and imbibed copious amounts of beer.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot: I shot me some photography, too.

Okay, okay, ya' got me: I'm bein' a tad disingenuous. Truth is, I came away with more "keeper" shots than possibly any other week of shootin' I've ever had. Yes indeedy, ya' might just say it was an incredibly productive outin'. And you'd be right.

Since I've so many images from this trip, I'mma gonna break with my tradition of postin' 'em all at once and and instead display 'em over several different upcomin' photoblog posts. That way, I'll be able to explain a bit more in-depth about each one and YOU'LL have more photoblog posts to look forward to than usual. Ya' lucky son-of-a-gun!

First up is an image I call "Hall Of Faces". It was created in a scarcely-known slot canyon in northern Arizona. Anyhow, what makes this here image special is the floor. There are a good many slot canyons in Arizona and Utah, but the vast majority of 'em are very well known and thus overrun with tourists and photographers and other sorts of unsavory characters. To find one with an undisturbed floor, especially one with ripples in the sand like this one, is quite rare. That's why most shots of slot canyons ya' see don't show the dag-nabbin' floor. But, without the floor, it's damn near impossible to show a sense of place and scale like I was able to do here. My reasoning for the image's title should be readily apparent. Can ya' see the faces? (If not, suck down a couple barley-pops and then take another gander.)

Hall Of Faces (Large version HERE.)

Next is an image entitled "Distorted Hallway". Like the previous image, it's from that same secret slot canyon and it has the sand and mud ripples in the floor. It is quite a surreal and nearly confusing spot, hence the title.

Distorted Hallway (Large version HERE.)

Before I go, I'd like to holler a big "THANK YOU KINDLY" to my good pal and master photographer Marc Adamus. Once again, he made the trip all it could be. Without him, I'd a-never found many of the places we explored. Lastly, I'd also like to give a nod to Marc's friend Colin, a fellow photographer and nice fella who accompanied us on our ramblin's.

Well, that about does it. Until next time, stay safe and keep your cards to your chest. ^_^

Good things come...

...to those who wait. Or so the old saying goes. And since I've kept you waiting for two months, I figured I'd give you something good: a bunch of new images.

These are all miscellaneous images from the past year. I needed to get them done, displayed and cleared out of my workload before I leave in less than two weeks. (And I did... on time! *gasp* Wonders never cease.)

Once again, I will be rendezvousing with friend and renowned landscape photographer Marc Adamus, this time in the southwestern US. When I return in late November, I will have a whole mess of new images to show you, many from places few have ever seen.

Until then, take care. And Happy Halloween! ^_^

Passing Alpine Thunderstorm

Mating Monarchs


Sunset at Hamm's Bluff

Dense Forest at Sunset

Rutting Bull Elk

Elk Silhouette

Little Tree On the Prairie

Sprague Lake Sunrise

Wild Comma Flutterby

Picture Perfect Picnic Spot

Sunbathing Marmot

Summer at Independence Pass

Tumultuous Tidepools

An International Adventure.

Last month, some friends joined my girlfriend and I on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Every time I've gone there, some sort of adventure has followed. This time outdid them all.

Without going into too much detail, one of our group injured himself fairly seriously, and we had to administer first aid in the field. All that Boy Scout training finally paid off. What makes it far more interesting is that the injury occurred while we were a bit... lost. Turns out our map was incorrect. (That sure is heartening -- a map, which pretty much only exists to PREVENT you from getting lost -- was wrong, and got us, um, lost.)

Once we found our bearings, we realized that we had been on Canadian soil when my friend got injured. So, in addition to being injured and lost, we had also illegally crossed an international border. Yep, we were injured lost illegal aliens. Sounds like a reality show.

Below is a photo from near our campsite on Rose Lake. The rocks in the foreground are Minnesota. And the land on the horizon is -- you guessed it -- Canada. You can view the large version HERE.

Don't forget that I'm out at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival every Saturday and Sunday until October selling the posters I made of Twig the Fairy. Hope to see you out there!

Until next time, take care. ^_^

Rose Lake Sunset

It's a tree! It's a branch! It's a... Twig?

Time for a trip down memory lane.

Remember my encounter three summers ago with Twig the Fairy? Well, ever since then I've always wanted to collaborate with her on a photography project. I always knew that together we could make some knockout images. I actually tried to contact her a few times that summer to see if she wanted to work together, but to no avail. (Getting ahold of fairies is no easy task. They don't exactly have cell phones, ya' know?.) After awhile, I gave up trying to contact her. I figured if it was meant to be, it would happen somehow.

And then, this past April, happen it did.

One day, out of the blue, there was Twig. She had somehow found me. I told her of my idea and she liked it. And a partnership was born.

Earlier this month, she and I went out into the local Minnesota wilderness and made some images. I gotta say, I'm quite proud of 'em -- they exceeded even my already-lofty expectations. I really poured my heart into making them. I hope you like them, too. (Be SURE to view the larger versions in my Twig the Fairy Gallery. They do the photos much, much more justice.)

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Beginning August 21st, we'll be selecting three of these images and making large, high-quality posters of them for sale at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I'll be out there everyday, as will be Twig, of course. Stop by and say hello, and if you're lucky, Twig will grace your poster with her autograph. (I'd offer my autograph, too, but all we'd hear is crickets chirping.)

Well, I gotta get going. I've gotta start preparing my stomach for an onslaught of turkey drumsticks and mead. Take care! ^_^

P.S. If you'd like to learn more about Twig, her Facebook page is the way to go.