The bold transformations, peeled back layers, and rich patinas in my photographs are metaphors for my life. I’m intrigued with the process of scrutinizing the space between foundation and facade in the hope of experiencing surprise, new promise, and beauty.

Art, photography and museums were a part of my life growing up and I was particularly drawn to the boldness and immutable concepts of the abstract masters. Creative expression has been an essential aspect of my life through writing, drawing and minimalist design. Now, with a digital camera and macro lens I’ve discovered a secret world of beauty and intrigue hidden beneath the surface.  After a professional career in Health Care Management and Consulting, I’m creating abstract art that challenges the tradition of photography and provokes the desire to look beyond the layers of time.

My eye for design and detail came by way of a happy collision between those early years and the path that led me to the Aspen Valley almost 30 years ago, where my late husband and I sold antiques, had a historic preservation business and restored a three-story, c. 1800’s Vermont barn as our home.  With roots still deeply seated in the Roaring Fork Valley, I have expanded my studio to Santa Fe where I’m inspired by the high desert, colorful sunsets and open vistas of the Southwest.  With an eye for contemporary design, in my world, dusty cowboy boots and old artifacts live in harmony with modern aesthetics.  Using the process of photography to create an illusion, creating a loose construct that can be interpreted in multiple ways, creating art that inspires conversation and deeper thought—these are the things that spark my passion!  

~ Gayle Waterman