Life Behind the Lens

The Concept Behind Southern Stroll

2012-01-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

The "visual verb" associate with this image is explore.

A bit of personal history comes with this particular photograph. It was taken on the morning following my only child's graduation from college. This was also the day he packed all of his belongings in a truck and moved over 500 miles away.

One of the lessons which I have learned the hard way is to see venturing into the unknown as an opportunity for growth.

I see now that life as a journey. Over the years, I have come to accept the fact that one can't always know exactly where life will take you.

The only conclusion I have been able to reach is that to follow your true path, you must be willing to explore.

Southern Stroll

The Concept Behind The Golden Pond

2012-01-19T06:33:00.000-08:00

The "visual verb" for this image is reflect.

It is my belief that we often forget the importance of self-reflection and meditation.

No matter how busy one might be, how caught up we each are in the simple (or sometimes not so simple) act of surviving, it is give vital to yourself permission to take time for you.

We are each evolving beings; but the acts of continual self-discovery and personal growth requires reflection.

To quote Joseph Campbell, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."

The Golden Pond

The Concept Behind "Sunday Dinner"

2011-03-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

The "visual verb" associated with this image is provide.

This photograph speaks to the lost art of family dining.

The act of breaking bread together as a family is about so much more than just providing nourishment for the body; it is providing nourishment for the soul.

It offers an opportunity to strengthen the family unit and to provide assurance of acceptance in spite of problems encountered in everyday living.

I believe family dining is the central component in creating a culture of caring, which meets the most basic need which we all share - to feel valued and loved.

Sunday Dinner

The Concept behind “The Gift of Light”

2010-11-09T07:04:00.000-08:00

This digital collage is the combination of two images with a variety of digital processes used to convey the message of how we each have the ability to choose what we see.

The background image (which is actually an early morning photo of a dew-dotted spider web) has been manipulated to created high contrast repeating circular patterns, symbolizing the both the heavens and the earth.

I have placed small points of light placed in the angel’s open hands and colored only her eyes to convey the idea that while “the gift of light” is offered to us all, we must each decided what we will choose to see with our own eyes - either the darkness or the light.

Mary Atwood, The Gift of Light

The story of The Careless Dancer

2010-10-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Careless Dancer

This piece is based on the idea that in “the dance of love” any one of us can be (or be paired with) The Careless Dancer. It is an image which represents both the joy and heartache that we risk when we love. It is the visual story of the progression of a relationship from beginning to end.

The dancer, gracefully poised against the vibrant red and yellow colors, is symbolic of the excitement associated with attraction and feelings of affection.
That image is contrasted with the colors which fade into the darker hues of blues and grays, and serve as the setting for the bleeding heart seen slipping from between her fingers.

Mary Atwood, The Careless Dancer

If you were looking for the photos....

2010-09-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

I am no longer posting the majority of my artwork here - but will be sharing stories about my art and my life as an artist.

To see my artwork, please visit my new website at:
http://www.maryatwoodphotoart.com/

Thanks!