2023...Now What? Again?!

Detail of the TallGrass Prairie in late spring.

Procrastination, personal struggles, etc. Name your poison, your reason, your excuse, inevitably you still need to #goanddo the #work.

2022...now what?

The dynamic line between earth and sky.

I usually say I don’t do resolutions for the New Year, its not going to change this year. Every year I say I want to improve as a person. To become more compassionate, kinder, and patient. To become a more positive and proactive person. To grow as an individual as a photographer and creative. To make this a better year than the previous one.

So now what? Its time to keep working hard, to recommit to my efforts. Grow what I’ve already started and to start new ventures. To be thoughtful and plan things out and implement them well. To not be afraid of trying new things and doing old things in new ways.

I’m going to share the hashtags, again, that I usually use on everything. #dothework #goanddo #liveyourpassion These tags are not merely random and meaningless words, they actually mean a lot. Over time, they have developed into a kind of mantra that expresses the how and why of my photography.

#dothework : To do the work to continually grow and improve my craft and skill as a photographer and storyteller. Doing the work to educate myself not only on the technical aspects but to refine the aesthetic of my work, to grow as an artist.

#goanddo : To go and do the work of creating and sharing the images and stories that represent the issues that are most important to me, and to try to inspire others to care a bit more about them, and maybe to even take action towards improving their little piece of the world.

#liveyourpassion : To always move forward, to continually push towards a better life to share and show this beautiful world through my images. And to hopefully inspire someone to action, to help protect this beautiful, fragile yet resilient world that we live in. To ultimately live a life of purpose and passion.

These are the things I try to live through my photography. Do I succeed all the time, no? Will I make mistakes and fail, yes. But I will learn from those mistakes. I will the next day try again, and again, and again until one day I do succeed.

Urgh, that got a little wordy, I also don’t like to take myself too seriously. Don’t forget to sprinkle a little snark in there for fun. Because, why else are we doing all of this?

Paseo Arts District : Photofest 2021

At the beginning of July, I submitted two images for consideration for the Paseo Arts District 2021 Photofest. One of the images, “Shadow",” has been accepted into the show.

This is the first time I’ve entered a juried show, so I am really excited about getting in. I’m delivering the framed print of “Shadow” to the Paseo exhibit hall in Oklahoma City later this month.

Shadow

This image will available as a print soon, go here to sign up to be updated when it is added to the store.

If you are wanting to go and see the show? The opening reception will be held Friday, Sept 17th, 6-8. The last day of the exhibit is Oct 30th. Here is some information to help plan your visit. Most galleries & retail open Tues - Sat 11 am - 5 pm with restaurants & bars open daily! On First Fridays, businesses may be closed in the morning to prepare for the event.

Witness to the footsteps of humanity.

Witness, Bristlecone Pine ©Billy Sauerland

“Witness” ©Billy Sauerland, Bristlecone Pine, Schulman Grove in the Inyo National Forest, White Mountains, Southeast California.

Bristlecone pines grow in isolated groves just below the tree line, between 5,600 and 11,200 ft (1,700 and 3,400 m) elevation on dolomitic soils. The trees grow in soils that are shallow lithosols, usually derived from dolomite and sometimes limestone, and occasionally sandstone or quartzite soils. Dolomitic soils are alkaline, high in calcium and magnesium, and low in phosphorus. Those factors tend to exclude other plant species, allowing bristlecones to thrive. Because of cold temperatures, dry soils, high winds, and short growing seasons, the trees grow very slowly. Even the tree's needles, which grow in bunches of five, can remain on the tree for forty years, which gives the tree's terminal branches the unique appearance of a long bottle brush.

The slow growth, and ability to withstand the elements, have led these trees to be around long enough to bare-witness to the progression of humanity's existence in what is now known as the western United States. The experience of one tree goes from watching the footsteps of the first people, the rise of civilization, and the expansion of trade routes reaching as far south as the Andes of South America for thousands of years before colonization. Then through the systematic extermination and genocide of the indigenous people of North America at the hands of the European Colonizers. Then the exploitation and extraction of minerals from the soils, the damning and diversion of the rivers. The testing and development of nuclear weapons and the rise and the expansion of human cancer known as cities, particularly the city of Las Vegas and the city of Angels Lost. Where the residents of these cities use on average 400+ gallons per day, for comparison the average tree in the Schulman grove uses 100 gallons or less per year. To witness the evolution of not only the environment but that of humanity as well as the tail these trees have to share.

I can only hope that the story these trees will share after another 5000 years, is a story of redemption and kindness. Not only for kindness being shown to each other but towards the natural world as well. And that we have to the best of our ability restored all that we have molested and destroyed.

Going and Doing: Kendall Whittier Art Festival #goanddo #dothework

Surface

The surface of the Arkansas River as it flows south. Facing west just past sunset, the light is reflected down by the high clouds. The stillness of the air contributing to the glassiness of the water. 

Signed and framed print.

Print: Archival stability in excess of 100 years.

Black metal frame with UV glass, 40X21.5 inches.

Local buyer only, I will deliver the print myself.

To purchase the framed print Surface go here.

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