Artist Statement-
Often over looked and classified as the "fly over states" are those that contain the prairie. I have discovered deep lines in the contrast of shadows, vibrant skies in the wide open spaces, and rich landscapes no matter the season. There is a song in the wind, harmony in the waving prairie grasses and the grand percussion of sunrise to sunset. The clouds are big and full of life
, the storms so close you can reach out and feel the electricity. From my working cattle ranch in western South Dakota, I get to watch the prairie and the weather she boasts, and experience the cowboy lifestyle . My landscape photography is a front row seat of the vast land and sky, how each season changes the landscape. My western photography portrays the authentic working cattleman and ranch quarter horses. I have been photographing the prairie for the past 11 years and have grown to deeply love this land. That love fuels my passion to share its beauty with you. You might have missed it, and I don't want you to miss it. I invite you to enjoy these wide open spaces with me, hear the sounds of the prairie, take in its sweet scent, and listen to the storm in all of the quiet. "Art is a reflection of God's creativity. An evidence that we are made in the image of God." ~Francis Schaeffer
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Bio-
I've made the South Dakota prairie my home for the past 12 years, previously spending my days in the suburbs of Chicago working full time while fitting in photography classes. I am mainly a self-taught photographer. South Dakota's prairie is the main subject of my art, especially that surround my ranch home where I am a busy mother of two and the wife of a hardworking cattleman. I'm a purist when it comes to keeping with the originality of the photograph (I won't add what wasn't originally there). I will however, tweak the the original image I took so that it accurately represents what I saw and what I want you to see. Photography is an art and just like any other medium it can be presented according to the artist's interpretation. I like to keep my photographs natural but I also enjoy making them into timeless art pieces. I shoot with a full frame Nikon and Manfrotto tripod. Aside from photography, I'm a foodie, runner, guitarist, and horse lover.
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Awards-
2016, Honorable Mention, Yankton Riverboat Days Arts Festival
2016, SDPB Spring Photo Contest 3rd Place, Professional Division
Juried Exhibits-
2017 National Weather Center Biennale
2017 Dahl Mountain Culture Photography Exhibit
2016 First Lady's Prairie Art Showcase
2016 Sidewalk Arts Festival
2016 Yankton Riverboat Days Arts Festival
2016 Brookings Summer Arts Festival
2016 Dahl Mountain Culture Photography Exhibit
2015 First Lady's Prairie Art Showcase
2015 Sidewalk Arts Festival
Publications-
South Dakota Public Broadcasting 2017 Calendar
Best of Photography 2016, Photographer's Forum
Best of Photography 2015, Photographer's Forum
Best of Photography 2011, Photographer's Forum
Farming Coffee Table Book, 2015, Farm Forum
