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Visual Language
contemporary fine art
Roberta McGowan
November 2014 Volume 3 No. 11
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Photographer Spotlight Roberta McGowan
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Photographer Spotlight Roberta McGowan
From her earliest years with a point and shoot camera to newspaper photographer to corporate photojournalist to western photographer, Roberta has carried with her the joy of image making. She is a horsewoman as well as a documentary photographer who combines both passions to create Visual West Photography with her dynamic style. Roberta is an award-winning photographer. She has been honored by the New Jersey Press Association, the New York Institute of Photography, and was named “Photographer of the Year� by the Philadelphia Chapter of Women in Communications. Photojournalism has always been the core of her communication about the Western way of life, the grit of the world of horses, cowgirls, and cowboys.
www.visualwestphotography.com
www.visualwestphotography.com
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Photographer Spotlight Roberta McGowan
www.visualwestphotography.com
When Roberta moved to Colorado from the East Coast 16 years ago, she explains that she felt as if her soul was home. The grand vistas, the “Howdy” life style, the natural world in its entire splendor continue to enthrall her. She is a member of Cowboy Photographers and Artists International, Association of Professional Rodeo Photographers, Colorado Pro Rodeo Association, Equine Photographers Network, and the Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council. Roberta’s education includes Temple University, New York Institute of Photography, Douglis Workshops, Equine Photographers Network Seminars and Workshops, the Philadelphia School of Marketing and Public Relations, Moab Photography Symposium, Carolyn Guild Private Training, and Dan Ballard Workshops.
www.visualwestphotography.com
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Photographer Spotlight Roberta McGowan
New and Ongoing Projects include: “Branding; Their Way of Life,” a photo essay, and “The Pour House, a Colorado Saloon,” a photographic history book. Roberta and her husband Michael have lived in Missouri Heights/Carbondale on the Western Slope of Colorado since 1998.
www.visualwestphotography.com
She has recently exhibited at: *Redstone Arts Foundation, Redstone CO - group exhibits - Annual Event Labor Day Weekend *The Red Brick Arts Foundation Wild West Exhibit (scheduled for May 2015) *Roaring Fork Open, Aspen Art Museum, Aspen CO *Western States Horse Expo and Art Show, Sacramento CA, *Cowgirls with a Camera, Wickenburg AZ - 9 photographers, March 2013 *Redstone Arts Foundation, Redstone CO *River Valley Ranch Gallery, Carbondale CO *Vectra Bank, El Jebel CO *Gallery 809, Glenwood Springs CO *Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts, Glenwood Springs CO *Vectra Bank, Aspen *Guerilla Gallery, Aspen *Aspen Colors, Basalt CO * Zele’s Gallery, Aspen CO *Aspen Chapel Gallery, Aspen CO *Bella Mia Gallery, El Jebel, CO *Carbondale Fine Arts, Carbondale CO.
www.visualwestphotography.com
VL
Photographer Spotlight Roberta McGowan
Roberta explains her approach to visual language: "It's not about the camera or the technology; it's about the fragile whispers of life. Those images that are here and then gone in an instant; the eye that sees them; the visions of the artist; the stories to be told: this is Photography. The images I create are dynamic and thought provoking. Strong colors and tones reflect the tough and gritty lives of the horses, cowgirls, cowgirls and the West where they live and work. My photographs are made from the perspective of the subjects. The juxtaposition of moment and movement is what intrigues me most about photography. As a photographer I work to "capture a moment," but at the same time use creativity to "portray movement" within the image. Viewers are an integral part of the artistic process; hopefully connecting with the subject’s emotions, and the subjects in turn appears to be responding to the viewers’ reactions. With a photojournalist eye, my style is powerful yet subtle. I work to savor mystical connections from humans and animals within this special world. I, too, live in the West that still exists in the high deserts and sweeping grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Thank you for joining me on this visual journey."
www.visualwestphotography.com
www.visualwestphotography.com
www.visualwestphotography.com