Mary Gerakaris

Artist Statement

Since childhood I have been intrigued and fascinated by the beauty in detail. There are naturally occurring colors, textures and exquisite patterns that man can only hope to duplicate. In an effort to capture and create an amalgam of my visions, I studied art, photography and design at colleges in Milwaukee and Chicago. I always came back to photography as the most honest way to capture what I saw. I moved to New Hampshire in 1971 working through the years as a layout artist and copywriter, freelance studio photographer, therapeutic riding instructor and mother. However, I never put down my camera.

Fast forward to the digital age and freedom from the traditional dark room and chemicals. I began again to look into the secret life of natural and manmade objects with a slightly different and more humble view. I found patterns at which I have looked all my life, but am truly seeing now. Nature can add a shadow here or dramatic lighting there in a confounding number of patterns and colors. I find this truly humbling and mysteriously beautiful.

In my photographs I attempt to share my vision of the mystery and beauty around us in both natural and man made objects. I cannot, nor do I want to compete with Nature and her treatment of light on manmade objects, but simply freeze a special moment. I compose with my camera, altering color as minimally as possible, and occasionally eliminating it because the pattern stands by itself. I play with size, format and materials to further enhance my visions.