|
|
About us
JODY: I was born and grew up in Greensburg, Pa., and went to school at St. Francis College (now University) in Loretto, Pa. (B.A. 1974) and John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio (M.A. 1977). I was an English major, which meant that I had no discernible skills after graduation except the ability to read and talk about what I'd read.
Luckily, journalism found me, starting with an entry-level job at the local newspaper. I had an affinity for features and was a food editor, entertainment editor, lifestyles editor and restaurant reviewer. After moving into freelance writing, I also did articles for magazines.
Meanwhile, there was Tom and our mutual love for North Caicos Island, where we built a retirement home and found inspiration for more writing (short stories and a novel) and photography.
Mosaics came to me late in life, but they have become another obsession. I still write, but spend as much or more time on art. Tom and I share a studio at Art Works in Richmond, Va., where we create and display our work.
TOM: Like Jody, I was born in Greensburg, Pa. I did not meet Jody, though, until after I completed college at John Carroll University in Cleveland, law school at Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA and served three years on active duty as a U.S. Army JAG Officer. Then I returned to Greensburg to establish a law practice.
I think Jody saw an artistic side to me that I hardly knew existed. She encouraged me to explore various media, but even from an early age, I was attracted to photography. My first camera was a Brownie-like fixed focus cheap camera (from cereal box tops if I remember correctly). My first excursion into photography was at the New York World’s Fair in 1965. Black and white pictures, with little or no composition or thought. But it was a beginning.
My brother gave me my first real camera, an SLR film camera. And over the years, I bought several more, each a bit more complicated and capable. My subjects were primarily family gatherings and occasional trips. But I kept learning more and more about the technical aspects of photography. Like all film photographers, though, I found the then-accepted method of taking multiple shots of a scene a bit expensive for both the film and developing. I even tried developing my own pictures and, like a good gadgeteer, had all the necessary equipment.
However, it wasn’t until the advent of digital cameras that I really became serious about photography. The “delete” icon is, in my opinion, one of the great developments in photography.
My first subjects were the beach and sea on North Caicos. I wanted to capture the intensity and variety of colors, especially the blues of the sea and sky, as contrasted with the whites and greens of the beach and vegetation. I continue to this day to take the same or similar scenes to capture those tones. Additionally, the sunrises, sunsets and rainbows present a myriad of opportunities for experimenting.
Back here in Richmond, I favor flowers, shapes, architectural detail and anything I find interesting. I primarily work in color, but will, on occasion, use editing software to create black and white images.
I take photographs for my own pleasure and because I like to experiment. But I am happy when others find my efforts worthwhile.
Luckily, journalism found me, starting with an entry-level job at the local newspaper. I had an affinity for features and was a food editor, entertainment editor, lifestyles editor and restaurant reviewer. After moving into freelance writing, I also did articles for magazines.
Meanwhile, there was Tom and our mutual love for North Caicos Island, where we built a retirement home and found inspiration for more writing (short stories and a novel) and photography.
Mosaics came to me late in life, but they have become another obsession. I still write, but spend as much or more time on art. Tom and I share a studio at Art Works in Richmond, Va., where we create and display our work.
TOM: Like Jody, I was born in Greensburg, Pa. I did not meet Jody, though, until after I completed college at John Carroll University in Cleveland, law school at Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA and served three years on active duty as a U.S. Army JAG Officer. Then I returned to Greensburg to establish a law practice.
I think Jody saw an artistic side to me that I hardly knew existed. She encouraged me to explore various media, but even from an early age, I was attracted to photography. My first camera was a Brownie-like fixed focus cheap camera (from cereal box tops if I remember correctly). My first excursion into photography was at the New York World’s Fair in 1965. Black and white pictures, with little or no composition or thought. But it was a beginning.
My brother gave me my first real camera, an SLR film camera. And over the years, I bought several more, each a bit more complicated and capable. My subjects were primarily family gatherings and occasional trips. But I kept learning more and more about the technical aspects of photography. Like all film photographers, though, I found the then-accepted method of taking multiple shots of a scene a bit expensive for both the film and developing. I even tried developing my own pictures and, like a good gadgeteer, had all the necessary equipment.
However, it wasn’t until the advent of digital cameras that I really became serious about photography. The “delete” icon is, in my opinion, one of the great developments in photography.
My first subjects were the beach and sea on North Caicos. I wanted to capture the intensity and variety of colors, especially the blues of the sea and sky, as contrasted with the whites and greens of the beach and vegetation. I continue to this day to take the same or similar scenes to capture those tones. Additionally, the sunrises, sunsets and rainbows present a myriad of opportunities for experimenting.
Back here in Richmond, I favor flowers, shapes, architectural detail and anything I find interesting. I primarily work in color, but will, on occasion, use editing software to create black and white images.
I take photographs for my own pleasure and because I like to experiment. But I am happy when others find my efforts worthwhile.