Exhibits

SEE MY WORK IN PERSON

'Labors of Love' Premiers at the Art League Gallery, Old Town Alexandria, VA on 12 September 2025

In “Labors of Love,” my intention is to honor artisans by highlighting the skills and meticulous processes essential to their crafts. My visual documentation illuminates their determination to persevere and flourish in the face of disposable commodification. Within these photos, a love of one’s work and a laser focus on their craft is an evident commonality. Further, by presenting these images in black and white, I attempt to convey the timeless nature of these moments and to draw the viewer into the subject of the photo without the distraction of color. In presenting this exhibit, I hope to inspire and motivate viewers to support artisans in their communities.Below I showcase 4 of the 15 artisans I present in my exhibit.

The Cobbler

Noticing holes in his beloved jodhpur boots, purchased in 1955, my father-in-law related that the last shoe shop in his West Virginia town had closed years ago. We offered to take his boots to a cobbler in Waynesboro, Virginia on our way home. Returning to pick up the resoled boots, I asked the cobbler if he would pause for a picture next to his vintage RAPID E sewing machine. I was impressed not only with the quality of work, but with his passion and love for the trade as well. I certainly never envisioned that a pair of circa 1955 jodhpur boots would lead me on the photographic journey that is this exhibit. It was this artisan, in this photograph, at that particular moment, that inspired me to pursue capturing artisans performing their trades and showcase them in this exhibit.

The Bartender

Not content to merely pour alcohol for customers, this mixologist creates unique cocktails with quality ingredients, surprising flavors, and precise techniques all while in full view of his customers – bar side theater, if you will. I love his focus and evident passion as he skillfully uses a paring knife to remove long, wide, swaths of rind from an orange, bursts of citris mist erupting from the orange, highlighted by the rays of sunshine streaming into the bar.

The Jeweler

Choices abound when buying jewelry, but if you prefer a unique or custom created piece to reflect your individual style, then an artisan jeweler is your answer. I sought a jeweler of this quality to design and create the wedding band for my wife. I discovered such an artist at Angelo’s in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. In this photograph, I capture his passion, skill and meticulous attention to detail that he brings to every piece of jewelry he creates.

The Writer

While enjoying lunch at a remote and very old restaurant along the coast, I noticed this writer in the corner quietly contemplating and capturing her thoughts in a leather notebook. The lighting was perfect - sunlight streaming through the windows backlighting her hair and shoulders and casting fantastic shadows and lines that wrapped themselves around her as she quietly pursued her writing craft, no AI nor computer present. This scene proved too irresistible not to photograph!

The Glassblower

Several people familiar with my project strongly suggested that I visit ‘Romeo Glass’ in Waynesboro, Virginia to document the owner and glassblower -- I’m happy that I did! Watching this artisan extract a lump of molten glass from a 2000-degree furnace, inflate the material into a bubble using his blow tube, then shape it into a beautiful colored vase was surreal. Never had I witnessed a process quite like this; an intricate dance between the artisan and the molten glass as he harnessed gravity, centrifugal force, and hand techniques to will his vision into a work of art. It’s no wonder that his unique artworks are showcased and sold in major galleries throughout the country.

The Farrier

Of all the artisans in this collection, the farrier had the most physically challenging and dangerous trade. Far from routine for you and me, Faith works every day, regardless of weather conditions, and often finds herself precariously positioned underneath a 1000-pound horse as she cares for the special needs of these magnificent animals. What can best be described as a combination of blacksmith and veterinarian skills, she trims a farm horse’s hooves with a massive pair of nippers. The light specks you may notice on the horse’s left rear flank are snowflakes that began to fall as Faith cares for the horse’s foot in freezing temperatures.

The Luthier

What do Dave Mathews, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Richie Sambora and dozens of other music icons have in common? They all play Rockbridge guitars. Handmade in Charlottesville, Virginia, these guitars require months to craft and have a wait list of up to two years for delivery. In this particular photograph, I attempted to capture the luthier’s intense focus and attention to detail as he meticulously guides a wood chisel, shaving to precision the neck for a one-of-a-kind acoustic guitar.

The Winemaker

Nestled within the undulating hills of the award-winning Monticello AVA , Septenary Winery is one of our favorite vineyards. After months of the physically demanding aspects of tending to the vines, fending off pests and praying for weather cooperation, the winemaker finally begins her work of transforming the fruits of her labor into wine. I was fortunate to capture a few moments of quiet focus as the Vinter evaluates all aspects of the now fermented juices. She checks for color, clarity, aroma and - of course – taste. In this portrait, she contemplates the perfect blend of grape varietals as she creates her next Bordeaux-style red blend.

The Blacksmith

Using time-honored techniques and nothing more than heated metal, a hammer, anvil, and tongs, a blacksmith from Blanc Creatives in Waynesboro, Virginia forges a frying pan. In this image, I capture the blacksmith’s hammer, slightly blurred, revealing the precise and repetitive strikes essential to fashioning a quality steel pan. Working conditions in a forge, as you can imagine, are hot and grueling, not for the faint of heart nor weak of spirit – the stuff of artisan superheroes, for sure.

The Seamstress

We certainly have numerous options to purchase curtains or draperies via large retail chains or on-line stores. However, if you prefer a custom product, which aligns perfectly with your tastes and specifications, then engaging a professional seamstress is the best route. Recently, I needed uniquely designed and sized ‘blackout curtains’ for my photography studio. After failing to find a suitable ready-made option, I engaged a local seamstress who readily accomplished the request. I later captured her in action working on a beautiful set of draperies -pulling fabric from large rolls, measuring, cutting, and then meticulously stitching the material into the final product. It was easy to equate the seamstress’ vision, skill, and passion with that of an artist creating a painting.

The Roast Master

Any coffee aficionado who has spent time in Charlottesville, Virginia has undoubtably heard of local favorite Shenandoah Joe’s. I passed a very early morning documenting its founder and roast master processing raw coffee beans for his famous brews. Years spent cultivating relationships with small farms in Central America, and his annual visits to them, is where the process begins. On this early morning, I watched as he blended fresh, still green beans and set them to roast in a rotating drum, aiding the agitator with his strong hands and watchful eye. The color emerging through gentle experience and patience, ensuring a lush, uniform roast. What a way to wake up!

The Cheesemaker

The Cheesemaker featured in this photograph owns and operates Caromont Farm, located in the heart of Virginia’s Monticello Wine Region. She consistently produces award winning goat milk cheeses from animals that are raised on sustainable principles of grass-based organic feeds and humane stewardship. The creation of her cheeses is an intricate combination of culinary artistry and exacting science. In this photograph, the Cheesemaker carefully inspects her most recent batch of goat cheeses lending itself to more of a portrait than an action shot.

The Chef

My wife and I enjoy living in Charlottesville, Va for many reasons – and the culinary scene certainly tops that list. We are fortunate to have many wonderful restaurants in the area and try to visit as many of them as possible. One of our favorites is Marigold at Keswick Hall resort. The Executive Chef, ‘Chef Drew’ has blazed his way across every imaginable aspect of the restaurant world defining what it means to be an artisan. His lifetime of experience meshes a mastery of technique with a profound understanding of ingredients and a commitment to detail. It all adds up to an exquisite dining experience. For this photograph, I capture Chef Drew casting a critical eye over a plated dish ready for service.

The Metalsmith

Have you ever sought a functional or decorative metal object, but couldn’t find the particular configuration readily available? You could describe it, knew you needed it, but simply couldn’t locate an acceptable version. Luckily, there are still skilled, modern-day metalsmiths willing to consider your vision and make it a reality. In this photograph, a Metalsmith welds the iron frame for a client’s custom table. He would eventually “crown it” with a living edge wood top.

The Baker

How fortunate we are that Old World, handcrafted breads have woven their way back into the fabric of our food chain by way of committed and talented bakers such as Scott Shanesy of “Belle.” Combining traditional, time-honored baking techniques with high quality, locally sourced grains and strong hands, Scott’s breads rival those found in the best bakeries in the world. Rising early one morning to document his work, I captured this dynamic moment as he pitched a light dusting of flour over the freshly formed boules – a combination of precision and full body physicality.

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