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Indepth Arts News:
"James A. Crawford: New Photographic"
2005-03-04 until 2005-04-30
SLO Arts Gallery, Frame Works
San Luis Obispo, CA,
USA United States of America
SLO Arts Gallery (located in "Frame Works" Framing) exhibits works by James A. Crawford in their first photographic show ever. The exhibition will present all new works by the artist, most of which are landscapes in black and white as well as color. All of Crawfords images are traditionally shot film or created usung a digital camera. Both process and digitally printed works will be shown in the exhibit. In this body of work, Crawford will not include any computer enhanced images. The show runs until April 30, 2005.
Crawford's interest in art began in high school and further developed at Orange Coast College where he majored in Architecture and minored in History and Art. In 1966 while in Viet Nam he purchased his first 35mm camera and with limited time, he was able to expand his craft. Upon his return to the States, Crawford lived and worked in Laguna Beach, Ca. pursuing an Architectural career while continuing to photograph and interacting with area artists. In 1976 James moved to San Luis Obispo to further his education at Cal Poly where he majored in Architecture and minored in Photography. At the time, photography was in the Journalism Department and then transferred to the Art Department. James thus enjoyed the best of both disciplines. Crawford states that " Because all my professors were Brooks Institute graduates much of Brooks Institute has rub off onto myself."
Crawford believes there is more to photography than looking through the camera and pressing the shutter. He says, " The camera is only part of the process. It's where your creativity leads in the darkroom, or the computer. It is not a mere image, it is an extension of your whole self, your whole being, the sum of all your experiences and the influences of great artists I admire." Some of those artists are Mondrian, Braque, Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, Klee, the Architect Antonio Gaudi and the photographers Eadweard Muybridge, Wynn Bullock and Paul Strand to name just a few. Crawford states that most artists are an influence. " I take little pieces from everything and everyone and melt it into my own vision and truth. Whether that's from Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Photography or Literature."
Crawford's work should not be categorized, but are mainly Florals, Abstracts, Still Life and Landscapes. Crawford works in traditional film black & white, color, fine art photography and digital capture with computer enhancement using Adobe Photoshop CS, Painter IX, Studio Artist and buZZ.X. While James’ Architectural career continues, he does find time to capture many images.
Crawford is the recipient of first place ribbons and Best of Show awards in several photography shows and publications and has been displayed at Cal Poly (SLO), Johnson Gallery, The Photoshop, San Luis Artist’s Gallery, Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo City Hall and San Luis Obispo County Art Center. Crawford's work also hangs in many private collections. James has been a winner in 6 years of participation in the New Times Photography Contest including 5 winning images in 1999 and 4 winning images in 2001.
James Crawford has been a Premiere Portfolio Artist at absolutearts.com since 2001. More of his work can be viewed at: http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/c/crawf/.
IMAGE
James A. Crawford
Stormy Sea
B/W Photography
11 x 14
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