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I’ve been a fan of Ansel Adams’ black & white photography ever since I saw my first one (Moon Over Half Dome).  His ability to capture the beauty of grayscale images ignited my imagination immediately.   No doubt, anyone who has attended a photography, or art, class has likely been confronted with the question of whether they preferred color images to black and white images.   And the decision one makes about this preference, will likely have an impact on the type of images they choose to create.

Typically, black and white images appear to be more timeless than color images.  Different types of color schemes, or color trends, can sometimes suggest a specific era, and so removing color from the equation can make it more difficult to associate a “time frame” for the image or photo.   A lack of color, used correctly, can often accentuate the light and shadows of a given image . . . offering a more dramatic finished effect.   Some artists will use black and white to create a sort of “distance from reality” to the subject matter.   Since we see the world in color, a monochrome rendition of the image can give the viewer pause and create a desire to look more closely at the details.

So, do I create black & white images simply because Adams did it?   Certainly, that’s part of the reason – it’s my way of honoring the man that changed how photography (and dark-room techniques) were perceived and implemented.  But there is also something uniquely satisfying about creating a subject matter that can be conveyed through nothing more than the simple gradation of tones from the “absence of color” (black) to the combination of all colors (white).   And the symbolism of each cannot be escaped either, as black is always equated with danger and evil, and white is most associated with things that are good and pure.   So, to use these two together to create something moving and interesting is quite fulfilling.

I use black & white because they are opposites . . . and because the final image demands the viewer look deeper into the art to find and appreciate the details that are revealed in the tones between these two opposites.   And because that is the challenge – to create something that will move people to wonder what it would be like to be inside that work of art.

As mentioned previously, Ansel Adams sparked a desire in me to create beauty without the use of colors.  But photography was never my strong suit - the equipment can get expensive . . . you have to physically BE at the place you want to take the picture of . . . and you have to have a good eye to know when to capture your image with just the right amount of light and shadow.  So, I initially tried creating these types of images with charcoal (a medium I was already proficient at), but this turned out to be much more difficult than I had hoped.  So, I began the search for a method that would allow me to honor Adam’s timeless skills in my own way.

The advent of digital art has opened doors to artists never previously available.   To manipulate the beauty of photography and turn it into something unique and stunning in its’ own right.   But I wanted something more than simply rendering a single image into a version of its original itself.  This new discipline allows me to actually combine a variety of sources and artistic methods into one unique visual representation that could never have been created through any one medium.

I start by taking photos of multiple objects – trees, buildings, grass, flowers, mountains, clouds, animals, water, rocks, etc.  These photographs are each transformed into a single “line illustration” image with little to no shading of any kind.   Each single image is then merged together with other individual images onto one digital canvas.   Depending on “where” the given element is placed on the canvas, it is scaled to match its’ position in the overall image.   Once all the individual elements are in place, I add the necessary highlighting and shadow to each element based on the “lighting” of the overall image.   As necessary, I will add drawing elements of my own to touch up any necessary overlays or gaps between the individual elements.   The final result is a completely original (and seemingly “single”) illustration that can be printed in a variety of sizes to match the need of any buyer.

So here, in honor of the artist who proved that the nuance of “black & white” can be just as stunning and magnificent as color, I offer these original works for your enjoyment.

Art and drawing have always been in my blood. My father was a draftsman for several Architectural firms during his lifetime, and my mother was a cake decorator most of her adult life. By late elementary school I was already doing portrait drawings and landscapes for fun, and by the time I was ready to graduate from High School in the early 70’s I was being encouraged by instructors to consider Graphic Arts as a college major. But eventually I was convinced by others that Graphic Arts was too competitive, and I would be better off majoring in business or something else less “subjective.”

Although I wound up associated with the construction industry (with marble & granite suppliers), and eventually made a career within the IT industry, I never allowed myself to stray too far away from artistic endeavors. Even though I wasn’t directly working in those “artistic” fields, I made sure I always had something of that nature going on as side work – whether it was wood working (during the early years when I had the time and energy) . . . creating inventive and tasty meals in the kitchen (I actually took a 2-year chef training course). . . or website design and video projects over the past couple of decades . . . I’ve always been utilizing my artistic skills in some fashion.

But life is now affording me some extra time on my hands – and software companies have created the tools that make all this possible – so I can enjoy the thing that has always been one of the “passions” of my life. So now . . . I take pictures, with my phone, of the beautiful surroundings that Colorado offers . . . I sit in front of a computer disecting and manipulating those pictures . . . and I allow the artist in me to piece together unique images that I hope will give you the same pleasure and satisfaction they give me – after all, this is all any artist can really ask for anyway. And, if anyone is wondering . . . "Warren" is my middle name (and my father's first name) - I use it for my artwork because it's much easier for people to remember (and spell) than my actual last name.

Imagine showing your family and friends a piece of artwork hanging on your wall . . . and explaining to them that YOU were actually involved in helping to create that beautiful and unique image!

The beauty of this method I use is that it allows me the opportunity to create artwork specifically tailored to anyone's requests.   Do you have multiple pictures you wish you could combine into one unique image?   Do you have an idea for an image you’d like to give as a gift, or simply hang on your own walls?   Allow me to collaborate with you on that piece of artwork that you’ve always wanted, but could never create on your own.   It could be as simple as a landscape picture that you’ve always thought would look much better with some dramatic clouds added.   Or it can be as complex as manipulating ten different images into one scene that merges the individual beauty of each picture into one unique and breath-taking landscape.   The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Contact me directly and share your idea with me.   Tell me the final size you’re looking for . . . what the finished product should look like . . . how many images you want to combine, or if you simply need me to add something to an existing image . . . how quickly you need it . . . and any other piece of information that is pertinent to obtaining the final artwork you’re picturing in your imagination.   Based on all the information, I’ll give you a price and a timeline that will accommodate both our needs.

For those of you that are retailers, commercial buyers, or designers looking to purchase in larger quantites, contact me directly to discuss sizes, pricing, and lead times. All illustrations can be supplied in the following formats . . .