ARTIST STATEMENT
Photography began as a source of art therapy during a year-long illness I had. I had a camera left over from graduate school, I took it, crossed the street to the San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. I felt at peace there, as the natural respite offered me a calming escape from my illness. And, so it was, as I walked along one of the paths nestled within the Sanctuary, I found solace and something more.

In the company of 200 species of birds and more, I began to photograph the color and the life that thrived in the natural environment surrounding me. I thought to myself, then, that, "the creative process began and ended with me taking a photograph of something beautiful."

However, I learned that the creative process extended far beyond the mere act of pressing a button on my camera--it was in altering the images, emotionally intensifying each captured moment, through photo editing, that I could create something more meaningful.

ABOUT THIS ARTWORK
I use technology to break through the traditional constraints of art forms. Technology enables to do this--to alter the image and either to use color or lack of color to provoke the viewer to see it in another way.

Please note - the actual physical dimensions of this piece are 12 x 12 x 1 inches (h x w x d). The relative size of this work has been adjusted for the purposes of the virtual gallery presentation.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sandrapipkenphotography/

LOCATION: Irvine, CA USA