By NVOS artist Karen Lynn Ingalls
Napa Valley Open Studios artist Debbie Ames enjoys focusing on, in her words, "the beautiful world that surrounds us, from unusual, unique perspectives, and sharing it with others." A photographer, she likes to do most of her work "in camera," sometimes using computer programs such as Aperture or Photoshop to ensure she's presenting her images as she sees and remembers them.
Nighttime photography is a favorite subject of Debbie's. As she says, "You can see and feel time pass. There is a stillness, and yet motion. Colors have an unusual cast and intensity. There is a wonderful mystical quality I adore that comes our through long exposures." She also appreciates that it forces her to slow down, since exposures can take anywhere from a fraction of a second to thirty minutes or more.
Part of a photography group headed up by Tim Baskerville, at UC Berkekley Extension, called The Nocturnes, since 2005, Debbie has participated in their exhibits – some of which can still be seen online at www.thenocturnes.com.
Inspired by gratitude for and appreciation of the world we live in, Debbie finds beauty in all she sees. She explains, "There is beauty in nature as well as in man's creations, and they can compliment each other and our lives." By looking at things from interesting perspectives, and focusing on unusual, often overlooked details, she calls attention to that beauty, allowing her viewers to see things anew – to perceive the image before them differently, even questioning what it is they are looking at.
It pleases Debbie to feel that her work might inspire someone to look a little more closely at their world, and discover something beautiful they may have previously overlooked.
Debbie's Fermentation Tank Series combines her love of both night photography and the abstract patterns found in details. In addition, in the last year she has also photographed wineries, vineyards, Yosemite at night, and, of course, animals and nature.
Debbie's recent accomplishments include a solo nine-month-long show at Chimney Rock Winery, participation in ECHO Gallery's juried Picture Show, partnering with painter Jean Cullinane for the Calistoga Art Center's Ekphrasis show, and four blue ribbons in the Napa Valley Art Association's Artist of the Month competition.
You can find Debbie at Studio #41, at Napa Valley College's Upper Valley Campus, at 1088 College Avenue, in St. Helena, California.
During the rest of the year, you will also find Debbie represented at the Artists of the Valley Gallery in Napa, California, and you can see her website at www.DebbieAmesPhotography.com.
NVOS artist Karen Lynn Ingalls writes for this blog and our Facebook page (seen it yet?) and paints, paints, paints. You can see her artwork during Open Studios at Studio #48, west of Calistoga, and online at www.KarenLynnIngalls.com.
