Inspiration

After raising our three children, and being surrounded by my husband's photographic art, I decided to enter the world of art myself. This was 12 years ago. First, I studied painting, where I discovered anew the world of color. I moved from oils to pastels to watercolor, as I sought the easiest way to bring colors together to make a work of art.

About three years ago, looking for inspiration, I began photographing possible subjects. When I saw the results, I began devoting more time and energy to photography. Because I realized that my photographs were often a perfect expression of what I saw. In fact, in taking photographs, often abstract subjects, it felt like I was painting with my camera. During the last three years, as my photographs have earned recognition, I have moved more and more toward digital photography and the instant reward it offers. Right away, you discover a new work of art or your latest mistake. And later, what is moreimportant, you learn the reaction of others to your art.

In this show, you can see the different approaches I take in my photography. One section shows just two of the many photographs I have created of my kitchen chair, in which the only variation is in light and the shadows, and yet each photograph is entirely different. I also see abstract forms in the world of motorcycles. The lines, the shapes, the colors continually draw my eye. The last section of my work offers homage to the heroes who died on 9/11. Some of those heroes were firemen, and these images of a fireman's jacket and a fire truck are very moving to me. They will always remind me of that terrible day. And in a larger sense, they died for the American flag that is also part of my homage. Art for me is not an escape, but a means of further entering into myself. I encourage everyone to use some time each day to create, especially art. Because art gives you the opportunity to reach out and touch another person's heart.

Margot Parker