The Awards Collective was created to feature the works of artist who have received a Juror’s Award or Director’s Award in ASG’s Online exhibitions. Sophie Pimpinella’s image “Burst“ received the Juror’s Award in the “portal” exhibition juried by Crista Dix. Sophie’s exhibition “So Bright, It Got Dark” was featured from February 1 to February 28, 2025 and is discussed in our GalleryTalk with Sophie.
Artist Statement
Through an intersection of light and softness, ‘So Bright, It Got Dark’ explores the atmospherics and abstract conditions of memory, recollection, and perception. These photographs reveal glimpses of the ephemeral moments between dreaming and waking that seem to have no footing in reality. The obscured is perhaps closer to the emotional or poetic truth. A persistent mundanity overwhelms a great deal of life, yet that becomes blurred as our memory reorders and reinterprets. The images expose this and the fragmented conceptualization we all have of our time on this planet. Considering life to be a more circular expression of time, the project has led me to analyze my understanding and personal experiences with death, loss, loneliness, and existentialism. Persisting thematic imagery surrounding nature, softness, water, and the body can be noticed, representative of the nuanced deepness of human existence and its inherent impermanence.
Sophie Pimpinella
January, 2025
Bio
Sophie Pimpinella (b. 1999) is an artist and educator from Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with Photography and Art Education BFAs in 2023. Her work is rooted in experimentation, with a focus on blending perceived realities through the physical properties of analogue film. Persistent themes throughout her work include the body, nature, water, softness, memory, and existentialism.
The Awards Collective was created to feature the works of artist who have received either a Juror’s Award or Director’s Award in ASG’s Online exhibitions. Sveta Butko’s image “Alana“ received the Director’s Award in the “portraits” exhibition juried by Donna Garcia. Sveta’s exhibition “Old Masters” is discussed in this GalleryTalk.
Artist Statement
I called my project “Old Masters”. It is inspired by symbolism and atmosphere that I find in the portraits by great painter from the past. Their color palette, their feeling of light and expression, and all those details like flaked paint and dust – everything inspires me. I try to express the connection between past and present, between nostalgia and today’s feelings, between my subject and me. It is about identity, not only my subject’s by also my own. This is photography that is also a fine art, photography that is also a painting, reality that is also a fantasy.
Sveta Butko
January, 2025
Bio
My name is Sveta Butko and I’m a self-taught professional child and family photographer based in Israel.
In late 2016 I gave up my career as an architect and got carried away with photography. My education for a PhD degree in visual arts (architecture) and working as an architect for a few years gave me invaluable knowledge and experience that accompanying me in my photography career.
Soon my images started to grab the attention of photographers around the world, and photography schools invited me to give lectures and workshops. Since then, my professional photographer career has begun.
Now my works are published both in local and international press, shown on book covers of the bestselling authors, exhibited at local and international fairs, featured in Vogue Italia, Canon Russia and Lens Magazine.
I’ve been invited to judge international photo contests and held more than 60 local and international workshops and lectures. My students win international photo awards. I organized a charitable photo forum and participated in charity photography projects for raising awareness about special needs and diseases.
I believe that photography has an amazing power of ability to change the world. The expression of tender, deep, innocent feelings can give people relief and hope.
The Awards Collective was created to feature the works of artist who have received either a Juror’s Award or Director’s Award in ASG’s Online exhibitions. Linda Caldwell’s image “The Potter“ received the Director’s Award in the “light” exhibition juried by Laurie Klein. Linda’s exhibition “Knot Reality” is discussed in this GalleryTalk.
Artist Statement
This ever changing world impels me to find some embellishment, something tangible, to give definition to the undefined reality around me.
Combining my love of thread and needle with my unique photographic vision creates an alternative perspective and a sense of wonder as though I were a child again – stitching in possibilities to mend and change today’s new reality.
The finished pieces remind us that we all have the creative power to change what is around us.
Linda Caldwell
January, 2025
Bio
Although I have dabbled with a camera most of my life, it was in the 90’s that I began to pursue photography seriously only to have life and work intervene. But in 2007 the urge to explore photography resurfaced and it has been my main creative outlet ever since.
The phrase ‘what if?’ is at the core of my practice allowing me to constantly embrace – and discard – new ideas and techniques through experimentation and learning. Having lived in many countries and been exposed to different ideas and cultures over the years has also influenced my art, especially since I have been firmly rooted in Turkey for so many years.
Over the years I have participated in group exhibitions in the US, France, and Turkey, winning juror’s awards and honorable mentions. My solo exhibit, Luminosity, was held in Istanbul in 2018.
The Awards Collective was created to feature the works of artist who have received a Juror’s Award or Director’s Award in ASG’s Online exhibitions. Linda Plaisted’s image “Rose Red“ received the Juror’s Award in the “portraits” exhibition juried by Donna Garcia. Linda’s exhibition “How The Light Gets In” was featured from January 1 to January 31, 2025 and is discussed in our GalleryTalk with Linda.
Artist Statement
Instead of showing work from only one series, because I am a rather prolific creator, I chose instead to share a selection of work I created in 2024 using Light as a major component that ties all the work together with an unifying thread. I came rushing into 2024 bearing light in my Glimmers series and here I am in my latest work, still carrying a torch, lighting the way forward into 2025.
One of my series called How the Lights Gets In was created in response to a good friend’s terminal cancer diagnosis, which landed like a grenade amid the constant bombardment of dark and disturbing news we have all been subject to this year. Reeling, I was looking for a way to express my own grief and society’s collective despair, so I used my morning art-making as a therapeutic practice; searching for pinpoints of light in a dark time. I heard an old Leonard Cohen song one day and his words rang true-
“Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in”
Ancient peoples once believed that the stars were holes in the sky where ancestors looked down on us from above; eyes shining. I found great comfort in this simple idea. Throughout this past year, I created multiple series of work layering my original photography, vintage found photos and collected paper ephemera, then added places in each piece for light to get in and love to shine out. It’s a multi-step, multi-disciplinary process that synthesizes my studies in photography, fine art, psychology and mythology to alchemize dark materials into light.
Linda Plaisted
January, 2025
Bio
Linda Plaisted was born in Pennsylvania in 1967, educated at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, Temple University and George Mason University, where she earned degrees in Fine Art, Illustration and Literature. A 2002 Magna Cum Laude graduate of GMU, her final portfolio was recognized as the most creative in her graduating class of 25,000. As a pioneer in contemporary photomontage, she founded Many Muses Studio in 2000 as a place to explore the marriage of many media. She has led private workshops and acted as artist-in-residence in public and private schools and universities; teaching photography and art workshops. Having lived in the DC area for over twenty years, she currently lives and works in Frederick, Maryland. After decades of full time motherhood, she is back with a bit of a vengeance and seeking studio space to pursue larger mixed media projects.
Fruition, in conjunction with Leah Macdonald’s Fuse Studio, was created as a residency program to help artist in need studio space and equipment to complete or further a body of work and be supported with guidance, time, and the tools needed to create or complete their project. Jenn Adam’s exhibition “Encaustic Layers of Time: An Autobiographical Journey“ is the first of two projects selected for the program in 2024. Jenn’s exhibition is discussed in this GalleryTalk with gallery directors and Leah Macdonald.
Artist Statement
My artistic practice encompasses my photography, collage, and encaustic beeswax to explore personal themes and convey emotions. Drawing inspiration from my lifetime of memories, my work delves into autobiographical narratives, intertwining elements of beauty and anguish through layers of transformation. By relinquishing control and embracing spontaneity, I make my own distinctive mark on each piece, giving rise to one-of-a-kind creations using photography, mixed media, and encaustic.
While residing in a New York City studio apartment, I grappled with shyness when venturing out to capture street photographs. In the process, I discovered a solution for expressing my artistic vision: I became the model myself, portraying various scenarios. This was before the digital photography era, hence my creative process relied on spontaneity and resourcefulness as I often used a broom as a stand-in for myself to achieve focused images. By taking control of my appearance, my self-portraits became a means for me to explore and communicate aspects of my identity that may not be readily apparent to others. It was around this time that I became familiar with the work of Cindy Sherman, whose film stills greatly impacted me, as well as the aesthetics of film noir.
Since I explore themes that are based on my real-life experiences in my art, it was through my discovery of the work of Sophie Calle that I have found additional inspiration. Two of her pieces particularly resonate with me: Douleur Exquise, about the pain of a breakup, and Rachel, Monique, an installation eulogizing the death of her mother. Drawing from my own influences, my artistic exploration ventures into a broad spectrum of personal subject matter. Among these are vanity, performance, female empowerment, bliss, timelessness, and sensuality. Additionally, I examine the intricate complexities of trauma, sexuality, mental illness, and the specter of suicide. While my creations are not exclusively images of myself, they possess a deeply intimate essence that narrates stories closely intertwined with my own experiences. Having battled Fibromyalgia for nearly a decade, I undergo moments of relief and light amongst physical pain, darkness, and isolation which is often reflected in my artwork.
Working with encaustic and photography has most recently become my preferred medium as it brings an element of unpredictability and spontaneity to my work, and I find great pleasure in embracing serendipity. By utilizing melted wax, I create unique patterns and textures that add depth and complexity to my photographs. Collage and the use of various techniques, such as scraping, carving, incising, and embedding items turn my encaustic photographs into one-of-a-kind mixed media objects with longevity and resistance to deterioration.
The emotions and experiences captured in my artwork primarily resonate with women. Whether exploring personal struggles or those related to femininity, my work aims to connect with those who face similar challenges. In my compositions, there is often a dichotomy that emerges as my personal trials coexist with the presence of flowers, symbolizing the transformative power to turn pain into something beautiful. Through artistic expression, I aim to empower and inspire others to embrace their unique stories and discover beauty amidst adversity.
Jenn Adams
April, 2024
Bio
Jenn Adams was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and earned her Bachelor of Arts from New York University with a double major in Art History and Classical Civilization. Continuing her education, she pursued a Master of Arts degree in Studio Art through a collaborative program offered by New York University and the esteemed International Center of Photography in New York City including a semester spent abroad in Paris.
Throughout her artistic journey, Jenn has passionately explored book arts, printmaking, and mixed media art while integrating her knowledge of photography. Since completing her Master’s, she has showcased and sold her artwork in conventional and unconventional venues across the United States. Jenn has earned honorable mentions for her notable accomplishments in photography through two juried online shows: Virtual • Visual by Women in Photography International in 2004, and Art of the Flower by the Medford Arts Center in Medford, NJ in 2021. She is a featured artist in Julie Chen’s publication, 500 Handmade Books Volume 2, and her artist’s books have been acquired by distinguished institutions, including McCabe Library at Swarthmore College, W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library at The University of Alabama, and Butler Library at Columbia University. In addition, she has taught continuing education classes in mixed media at the JCC Manhattan and Manhattan Graphics Center, both located in New York City.
After living in the New York metro area for over 30 years, Jenn relocated to central North Carolina in 2017 where she was juried into the respected Orange County Artist Guild in 2020 upon her first submission. Amidst the global pandemic, she seized the opportunity to participate in Zoom classes and delve into the world of encaustic art, incorporating photography and mixed media techniques. Her intrigue and dedication to this art form endure to the present.
The “she” exhibition, juried by Polly Gaillard, was in the online gallery from December 20, 2024 to January 30, 2025. Polly selected forty seven images from thirty eight artists for the exhibition. Laura J Bennett’s image “Path for Pain” received the Juror’s Award. Bill Polkinhorn’s image “il pensatore” received the Director’s Award.
Juror’s Statement
She celebrates the multifaceted nature of women and complexity of women across diverse cultures, identities, and experiences. The images in this collection delve into the intimate and universal, presenting a visual narrative of what it means to navigate the world as a woman. From quiet moments of introspection to bold acts of defiance, the exhibition aims to challenge stereotypes and provide a platform for authentic voices that redefine femininity on their own terms. Each photograph offers a window into deeply personal stories, revealing the beauty and power inherent in vulnerability and self-expression.
This exhibition also seeks to explore the intersections of identity, inviting viewers to reflect on how race, age, socioeconomic status, and cultural heritage shape women’s experiences. Through a wide range of photographic styles—documentary, portraiture, conceptual, and experimental—the featured artists push the boundaries of representation, presenting subjects who resist being confined by societal expectations. She is both a celebration and a call to action: to honor the women who have shaped our histories, to listen to the stories that often go unheard, and to imagine a world where every woman’s truth is valued and celebrated.
I recently posted the piece below on social media. It got quite a bit of attention. I am wondering if there is interest out there in participating in an “Art For Photographers” workshop? If interested or just to comment, email me at kevin@asmithgallery.com.
“Had a conversation with a photographer/visual artist last night. The subject of photographers as artists came up. We were talking about workshops and the success or failure of photography-based workshops. This brought to mind a conversation I had a few years ago with an artist, painter, and sculptor, that was also an accomplished photographer. He asserted that without somewhat of a background in drawing, painting and or the plastic arts which require a level of competence in color theory, understanding of the principles of art, a knowledge of art history, and a background in the manual, hands on aspect of creating art — workshops that, to really get the most from the experience, it would help to have a background in the above, the experience can be less than truly satisfactory.
Wondering what others think about this? Is there a need for workshops for photographers that focus on the foundations of art?”
Kevin Tully
December, 2024
Posted in News on 12/04/2024 | Comments Off on Something I would like to talk about: Art For Photographers
The Photographic Performance was created to feature the works of artist with completed bodies of work and a strong narrative. John Woodruff’s exhibition “Culturelux“ is the final of four performances to be exhibited during Act II 2024. John’s exhibition is discussed in this GalleryTalk.
Artist Statement
When I was a kid in the fifties and early sixties, our babysitter was the TV and we became the “pictures generation”.
Life around the world was brought to us in bits and pieces – a sort of splintered vicarious reality that Marshall McLuhan termed a “global village”. My series entitled “Culturelux” explores this phenomenon by shining a spotlight on modern life/popular culture by creating fragmented image photographs with implied narratives that pine for what may have been lost but also provide a glimpse of what may lie ahead.
John Woodruff, 2024
Bio
John Woodruff was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1954.
He received a BS in biology and a minor in photography from the Hartford Art School in 1979.
Upon graduation he worked for several years at a commercial photography studio photographing products for advertising and industry using 8×10 and 4×5 large format cameras exclusively, In the med eighties he formed an architectural photography studio in which he traveled around the country shooting projects for well known architectural firms.
Throughout his commercial career he also actively created lens based art showing extensively in Hartford, CT, New Haven, CT Western MA, NYC and Portland, ME.
John currently resides in Blue Hill, Maine with his wife Diane and pharaoh hound Lacey.
The “story” exhibition, juried by Kevin Tully, was in the online gallery from November 8 to December 19, 2024. Kevin selected forty seven images from thirty four artists for the exhibition. Dub Weathersby’s image “Road Trip” received the Juror’s Award. Eduardo Fujii’s image “The Weight of My Sins” received the Director’s Award.
The Photographic Performance was created to feature the works of artist with completed bodies of work and a strong narrative. Justus Wayne Thomas’ book and exhibition “The River Will Be A Part of Us“ was part of the 2023 Photographic Performance. Wayne’s exhibition and book is discussed in this GalleryTalk.
It would be the summer of Princess Diana’s wedding. The Space Shuttle had just completed its first mission, and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” was running in theaters. Hand-held mobile phones were years away, and no one had ever heard of the internet. In late June of 1981, a crew of young people from the United States and Europe gathered at a small park on the banks of the Missouri River just outside Kansas City.
The month before, I had been at home in Nashville when I got a call from Tom Bates. We had become friends a few years before as American exchange students at the University of Regensburg in West Germany. Tom asked if I was interested in joining him and some other friends at a campsite near Kansas City, where they planned to build a raft and float down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans.
Tom said he wanted an “expedition photographer.”.
A commitment like this would require money that I did not have, so I asked my parents. My mom was hesitant, but my dad said:
“He’s going. If I have to carry him up to Kansas City on my back, he’s going.”
I took a plane instead and brought my Nikon FE SLR and a supply of Kodak Ektachrome color slide film with me.
In ten days, we built a 16 x 24-foot raft from cottonwood, assorted lumber, and thirty-two 55-gallon oil drums. The “Eulenspiegel” was motorless, moving downriver with the current, maneuvered only by four 10-foot-long deck-mounted oars. In two months, we floated 1,420 miles down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans.
This Fall, Daylight Books is publishing “The River Will Be a Part of Us,” my documentary photobook featuring photographs I captured during the Eulenspiegel’s journey downriver 43 years ago. “The River Will Be a Part of Us” was featured in the 2024 “ICP Photobook Fest” at the International Center of Photography in New York City and at this year’s “SlowExposures” Photobook Fair in Zebulon, Georgia.
Justus Wayne Thomas
Bio
Justus Wayne Thomas is a resident of Nashville and a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee College of Law.
His experience as a photographer began in earnest as an exchange student at the University of Regensburg in West Germany, participating in Vanderbilt’s “Junior Year Abroad” program in 1978-79. Thomas brought his parents’ Minolta SR-T 201 SLR with him and, upon arrival in Regensburg, found a fully equipped, closet-sized darkroom in his dormitory’s basement.
During his Senior Year at Vanderbilt, The Gallery at The Parthenon in Nashville hosted a solo exhibition of photographs Thomas had made in Regensburg. The exhibition was titled “A Nashvillian’s Perspective on Regensburg.” Later that year, The Sarratt Gallery at Vanderbilt University hosted a solo exhibition of photographs Thomas had taken in and around Nashville. That exhibition was titled “Some Relatively Minor Features.”
Thomas’ informal photographic education began as a lab technician at Image Custom Lab in Nashville, a black-and-white custom film and print lab owned and run by Jimmy Ellis, a photojournalist, then recently retired from The Nashville Tennessean.
Thomas’ work has hung in galleries around the country, including The SE Center for Photography, PhotoPlace Gallery, A Smith Gallery, Si Gallery (Dab Art Co., Austin, Texas), Yeiser Art Center (Paducah, Kentucky), Center for Contemporary Art (Abilene, Texas), University of Texas, San Antonio (Fotoseptiembre Festival), and Clara M. Eagle Gallery (Murray State University).