Some Of My Best Peeps

Gallery Cygnus

2011-04-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

Thoughts on “Searching for Soul”
Posted on March 25, 2011
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CONVERSATIONS WITH ELIZABETH TAPPER

Maggie Wilder: There’s been a steady stream of visitors here at Gallery Cygnus to see this exhibit, “Searching for Soul”, the portrait work of Mary Randlett and Cathy Stevens. And I’ve noticed that many people have an emotional response upon coming through our door. It’s bigger than any one photograph. I’m not sure what that’s about, but I felt it too, when I walked in the day after Peggy hung this show. What did you feel just now, coming in?

Elizabeth Tapper: In this culture of America, we’re inundated with images of celebrity; people we think we know, but really don’t. It’s all highly manufactured with a consumer in mind. That’s completely absent here. Instead, I feel a presence of human dignity. And also, an intimacy. And, perhaps, a vulnerability. And there seems to be a conversation happening in this very peopled space of your gallery.

MW: We very much wanted to create a multigenerational artist portrait show that began with Mary Randlett’s photographs of Tobey and Graves, Clayton and Barbara James, and create an inclusive lineage of folks who’ve been called to work here in Skagit Valley. Cathy Stevens had documented some of the subsequent generation, and took on even more studio visits to help us produce this show. I am moved by the representation overall of a community that has held me personally, as an artist. There’s a kinship. These people mean something to me. I have heard some of their voices in my studio, and I can hear them now, in this room.

ET: It’s an interesting perspective, this view I have from being eighty. When you get to be an elder, you take time to reflect. You want to see more deeply, beyond the surfaces of things. It is a search for what is held beneath the reflected light.

What’s interesting is not one of these photographs says “this is what an artist looks like.” And that’s how we know that there’s also an artist behind the camera, as well as in front of it. These are not clichés. The photographer is exploring something, something elusive.

MW: Mary Randlett knew her subjects well, yet there is a respectful distance in her photos. No “in your face” close-ups. She does very little manipulation in the darkroom.

Cathy told me that the way she works is to visit her subject in their studio. That invitation into a private space is perhaps what makes for that feeling of intimacy and vulnerability. She spends time with them, and when she sees something that seems at the heart of this person, a gesture, an expression, she asks them to revisit that moment, and that’s when a photograph happens. It’s not a candid shot. And yet something is revealed.

ET: And that’s just the beginning. There’s an artist, there’s a tool, then a subject. But art doesn’t happen until choices are made: why this shot, and not another? When to manipulate the photograph. What’s being revealed in the photograph.

A real artist can take a mundane subject and create an interest in it. But it happens because of their deep curiosity.

MW: I wonder what can be revealed in 1/6oth of a second of reflected light, on a piece of photosensitive paper with not much surface?

ET: Most of the people we meet, we know first face to face. Later we learn more: their interests, ideas, experiences. With artists, it’s often the other way around. In this exhibit, we may know the work first, and now we see the artist’s face. What the photographers have given us is not just a face, but the language of their bodies, and an environment, in many cases their studios. Studios are usually very private spaces.

MW: Someone famously said “a good face has something behind it.” Is there anything about the face of an artist that speaks to us? Or is there something about this particular community of local artists that people are recognizing? Mary Randlett and Cathy Stevens obviously thought there was something worth investigating and recording.

ET: When it comes to making art, it’s not the tool, or the subject, but what the artist does with that tool. What makes it worth viewing is a revitalization of something familiar, something that the soul knows to be true.

2010-02-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

Bubbly little granddaughters, two, wanting to be princesses for Grandma and Grandpa, paused their wiggles long enough for Cathy to snap moments for eternity. This was the Christmas surprise for their mommy and daddy. The 16X20, framed and lovely, was hidden away in Grandma’s suitcase for the holiday trip to Colorado. The 5-yr-old and grandma [me] dashed to the gift-wrapping corner. We fussed and wrapped and bowed and tagged “to my mommy and daddy, Merry Christmas”. Can you imagine the look of surprise on my son and daughter-in-law’s faces when they gazed on their lovely daughters’ pictures? All the different poses were unique and capturing and I’ll be ever grateful. We even sneaked in a great photo of the UW Husky Dawg fans with the girls in their cheerleading outfits to grace our mantel. What fun!
Thanks Cathy for making a dream come true – I always thought it would be an unattainable goal, but you made it a reality. Thank You! Wayne and Cheryl

2010-02-14T13:02:00.000-08:00

Our family was looking for a casual photo... something that really fit our personality --- outdoors, jeans and our family dog. We decided to have the photo taken in our backyard during the fall which can be a challenge in western Washington. Cathy was very accommodating and we love the results. Barb

2010-01-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

Intuitive at predicting the weather and natures lighting!
Great at getting those memory moments and making us look good.
Her friendly humor made us comfortable.
Very professional results at an affordable price. Jane

2010-01-20T19:42:00.000-08:00

Having Cathy photograph my family was a wonderful experience. She immediately put us all at ease and gave us many varied opportunities to use the beautiful setting of Larabee State Park as a natural backdrop for our pictures. The most difficult part was choosing which of the many proofs we wanted to order, because they were all so great! Cathy is truly one of the most creative and talented artists of photography around!

Lois

Tony & Chelsea Bartalini Wedding

2010-01-20T18:29:00.000-08:00

My Goddaughter's wedding experience with Cathy and Peeps Photography was outstanding. I felt that from beginning to end Cathy was extremely organized and professional. The preparation Cathy did before the wedding made everything on “the day” seem effortless. She was never in anyone’s way, yet captured the faces and feelings of the event down to the last detail. I highly recommend Peeps Photography.

Tia

2009-11-30T18:09:00.000-08:00

“This was one of the most enjoyable picture sessions that our family has experienced. The setting at Deception Pass was beautiful, and Cathy used the beauty of the area to create memorable portraits for our family.”

Kristi

My Nephew Stefan and Kandi's Wedding

2009-11-17T22:26:00.000-08:00

He is my air, without him I cannot breathe. Kandi

She is my universe. Without her my world would stop turning. Stefan

No tears, only smiles and joy for happiness I know will last. I know how much I love you Stefan and want happiness for you, and I feel like I have known you Kandi forever and I love you.

Cheryl, Mother of the groom

2009-11-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

When Cathy came out to our home to take the senior pictures of our son, she walked around the property looking for just the right backgrounds and settings for the photos. Her quiet demeanor relaxed my son, so the poses were natural, and she was able to get the best smiles out of him at just the right time. When I reviewed the proofs, I had a difficult time choosing which to order because so many of them were so good! Both the black and white and colored prints are of the highest quality. We will definitely use Cathy for our family portrait! Diana P

2009-11-10T22:26:00.000-08:00

We are so pleased with the photos of our son, Sam. Virtually every photo she took is a keeper. Not only are the photos gorgeous but Cathy captured the "real" Sam in his expressions and poses. Cathy is a real pleasure to work with.

Annie

2009-10-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Cathy,

Yes, we received the photos while I was flying a four day trip. I do love them. The color on the finished project is so rich and vibrant, better than the proofs and I thought that the proofs were fantastic. Many, many thanks to you for bringing my small idea to fruition. The project highlights this passage in my life, with my two oldest sons in college and this new chapter living with Terry and our youngest son.

Diane