Tom Eckles, photography & Susan Shaddick, sculpture and fiber Opening Reception: Saturday, July 7, 2012, 5:00 p.m. Exhibit remains through August 1 Dolphin Gallery

The Dolphin Gallery presents an exhibit of the sculpture and fiber of Susan Shaddick and the photography of Tom Eckles at the opening reception on Saturday, July 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. until the show's conclusion on Wednesday, August 1, 2012.

Susan Shaddick

Susan Shaddick's artistic journey of almost forty years has taken her from traditional media such as oil and oil pastels to sculpture and even jewelry and textiles. There are few media she has not explored!

Susan describes her work in this way: "For me, it is important to play when I work. Indeed, I might say that creative play is my work... I work collaboratively with Mother Nature, my Muse, and that is how my art is created."

Susan has strong interest in various cultures and has traveled extensively. She feels especially drawn to the art and traditions of artists of the First Nations on Vancouver Island, her father's birthplace, where a strong indigenous art tradition thrives today.

Living in both Berlin and New York has exposed her to mainstream and avant-garde influences. In addition, living near the sea on the Mendonoma coast has inspired her sculptural work with kelp. Jellyfish forms have seen reflection in her oil pastels and jewelry, as well as felted wool pieces, some of which are seen in this show.

Besides being an artist, Susan is a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Life Coach. She is also a writer and poet. Susan shares her life and home with fine art photographer Tom Eckles, who is featured with her in this July 2012 Dolphin exhibition.

Tom Eckles

Photography is in Tom Eckles' blood. He grew up with the allure of his father's darkroom, a dark, aromatic cave-like place to explore. The intensity of his commitment varied as he grew up, but he has always retained an interest in what has become a life long visual connection to our world.

To remain faithful to his vision, Eckles does not employ filters to alter color. He avoids manipulations of the images. He even avoids cropping the images composed through the lens. What the viewer sees is what he saw.

His work with infrared photography in wave lengths beyond the range of visible light has caused him to ponder what is "real" and what is "illusion." Regardless of how he sees a subject the intention is always to capture the "wow" moments, especially the awe of nature's designs and patterns.

Patterns, light, color, perspective all contribute to his pictures some of which freeze the drama in a stillness , some of which provide a macro look at nature, some of which step back. They all capture the viewer's attention.

For a more complete look at Eckles' oeuvre visit his on-line gallery at www.tomeckles.com.

His studio in Gualala, CA is open to visitors; call for directions, 707.884.1930 or email him at tom@tomeckles.com. He has held previous Dolphin shows in 2009, 2007, and 2002.

The Dolphin Gallery is located at 39225 Highway One in downtown Gualala, CA
(behind the post office on the south side). Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-3896 for more information.