It was sunrise in Southern California, January 11, 1949. Something drew me to the bedroom window. I looked out to the front yard and for miles beyond. The familiar scene of my childhood was gone. Our front lawn with its towering evergreen tree, the vacant lot down the hill and the boulevard leading to Griffith Part were luminous. My world, where the landscape had been a constant was trasformed -covered now in a pure white blanket of what appeared to my five year old eyes to be diamond dust. It was a scene beyond my comprehension and my response was visceral. That moment is as immediate to me now as it was decades ago. My wife summed up the journey that followed perfectly. “That first snowfall set in motion both the search for a view of equal enchantment, as well as a visual memory in search of meaning.”

Establishing a point of view or personal vision is at the core of my work n landscape photography. Oscar Wilde said of another medium, “Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.” Each walk on the beach or into the forest is an opportunity to get in touch with the landscape in front of the lens and the landscape within. For an image to speak clearly, the photographer must have something to say. Beyond that, there is always an element of change, being present at the right moment as the light reveals form that strokes a chord of recognition. From that point on, intuition and experience take over.

Why black and white? Black and white photography lays open the bones of the image. It’s direct and to the point.

Time and place are always present in the image. I photograph where I live because it’s what I know and it’s accessible. Everything changes with time, including the way I see. I revisit many locations over the seasons and over the years, hopeful that I can get out of my own way, and truly “listen with my eyes.”

Few understand second chances better than John E. Forte. On November 24, 2008, President George W. Bush granted the petition for commutation submitted by 33-year-old Forte, a classically trained violinist and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer from Brooklyn, New York. Famous for his work with the multi-platinum group “The Fugees,” Forte was the quintessential rising star before landing himself in a federal penitentiary. His was one of only eleven commutations granted by President Bush during his eight years in office – a testament to the dedication of those who tirelessly campaigned on his behalf, including iconic singer Carly Simon and noted conservative Senator Orrin Hatch (R) of Utah. A brilliant young prodigy and dedicated student, Forte was awarded a full scholarship to the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy and attended New York University until his career took off in the music industry. While working as an A&R executive for Rawkus Entertainment, Forte met Lauryn Hill and began working closely with “The Fugees.” Forte co-wrote and produced two songs on the multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning album, The Score. He went on to record two solo albums, PolySci (Columbia) and I, John (Transparent) which featured industry legends Herbie Hancock, Trick Esthero, and Carly Simon.

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I was born a romantic dreamer. I remember wondering who painted the clouds in the sky, and when I died I wanted to go to heaven and do it. However, the environment that I was brought up in was very antithetical to art of any kind. It’s a wonder I became an artist at all. I was lucky to have a strong defiant streak. Also, I was very naive, so when the university asked me what I wanted to major in I said art. I thought artists were magical, and why not go for broke? I said I was naive, but I’m also very determined and never give up. So here I am today, living with a decision made without any forethought and not regretting it one bit.

Trish Sie is a Grammy Award-winning American choreographer and director, best known for creating OK Go music videos and directing the 2014 film, Step Up All In. She has worked in children’s entertainment, film, television, music video, stage, and ballroom DanceSport. Other projects include choreography for the Imagination Movers, ESPN, and Jason Hill, and creator of the musical science-based children’s show, The Snark-a-Snoops. Sie was born in Washington, DC. She has a degree in music from the University of Pennsylvania and is a professional championship ballroom dancer and owner of the Zebra Room Dance Studios in Orlando, FL.

Felix is a Master perfumer as well as a certified flavorist with over 40 years of comprehensive experience in analytical and creative perfumery. As a perfumer for IFF, he spent 10 years developing analytical and artistic sensory skills. He is a current member of the Editorial Advisory Board for Perfumer & Flavorist Magazine and an active member and past president of the American Society of Perfumers, the Society of Flavor Chemists, and the American Chemical Society frequently speaking as part of the National Lab Day program. In 1981, he co-founded Custom Essence, and is now responsible for creative perfumery and heads research and development. Felix serves as mentor to all junior perfumers and laboratory technicians. He is an accomplished guitarist and National Guitar Workshop theme song contest winner.

broad range builder.creator. from earth/snow manipulation to working with metals, woods, photo or paints. freestyle parks (snow/skate), large scale land art, metal furniture, art pieces. simple. clean. LOUD. my goal is to provide/spark inspiration or opportunity for others to express themselves,whether it be environments of activity or spaces to actually create. when we are able to be creative, develop our style, DO stuff with our hands, we find ourselves. i live in UT where i work for a company called Summit. i am inspired by people doing their thing. create. express. inspire.