Claude Monet’s Water Lilies in the Garden at Giverny was the inspiration behind the creation of the Tide Pool series. Just as Monet painted the same subject matter time and time again, I have repeatedly photographed the same tidal pools on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Monet had a unique ability to give new life and meaning to a theme by painting during different seasons and weather conditions while also constantly shifting his point of reference. In a similar way, I have tried to capture the essence of these tide pools.

However, there is a second driving force behind the creation of this body of work. The Tide Pool series attempts to create a Zen-like experience through the intentional distortion of scale and loss of reference. For some observers the art might be interpreted as a close-up, intimate representation of elements within the tidal pool while others have the sense of viewing a panoramic landscape. I am attempting to challenge our perception of what constitutes “truth.” My hope is that this exercise will encourage more people to step outside of their comfort zone and examine daily situations from multiple angles, thereby promoting tolerance and understanding.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you and my love of art.

Jon