C&T Publications 50 States of Art - 2015 | Page 120
Mary Jo Allen – Washington
I've been a professional photographer for 30+ years. My degree is in microbiology
and I did research work in that field for 3 years which sounds glamorous and exciting
but in reality I found it to be repetitive and uninspiring. It does explain my interest in
the tiny world and my desire to understand how things work. I've always said I could
be a professional student as I love to learn new things and photography certainly
does provide that opportunity. Even after all these years I continue to learn new
things every day. I find photography to be the perfect blend of science and art.
Most recently, some of my favorite work has been in the area of macro photography, especially the beautiful world of flowers. I'm
looking for not only the documentary recording of what a flower looks like, but also taking a closer look and finding ways of
expressing a more artistic and abstract view using color, curves, lines, lighting and softness to create interesting compositions. I love
finding beauty in simplicity: just the edge of a rose petal, the sensuous curve hidden inside a flower, the way the morning dew
clings and shimmers in the sunrise, a synthesis of color, light and softness, blending the magnificent with the minute; these are the
things that make my soul sing a soaring melody of thanks to the Creator.
I also love other expressions of nature and also am fascinated by mechanical inventions of mankind as you can see by the various
galleries of my work.
In 2010 and again in 2015 I was awarded Photographer of the Year from the Professional Photographers of America.
Website:
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/maryjo-allen.html
Here is my piece. It is called Taproot.
Taproot is what I consider to be my iconic image. The top one third of the image is a typical Washington atmospheric Fall morning
with the sun barely making its way through a cool mist. The bottom two thirds features the tree’s root coming down a stone cliff
searching for support and food. The contrast of the stark, hard rocks with the soft mossy growth and moist air is a metaphor of our
lives. The spiritual connotations are many and each person will draw their own meaning.
If you would like to see some of my flower macro work you can visit the following links:
Macro Flowers Slideshow: https://youtu.be/LLIVetoy_7A
Flower Texture Slideshow: https://youtu.be/KSO0Zjy9A7E
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