Christine A. Thomas

Growing up on a farm; and being a life long resident of rural southwest Indiana, has instilled within me the values of ‘learning by doing’ and ‘self reliance’ along with a deep respect and love for the natural world.

In 1987; when I received my first 35mm camera, I instinctively employed the 'learn by doing' technique and headed for the great outdoors for my first photo op. Zooming in on a tiny wild flower I was amazed by what I saw in the view finder: Nature; up close and personal, in a way I’ve never seen it before. There was such awesome beauty to be found here, captured on fi...

Growing up on a farm; and being a life long resident of rural southwest Indiana, has instilled within me the values of ‘learning by doing’ and ‘self reliance’ along with a deep respect and love for the natural world.

In 1987; when I received my first 35mm camera, I instinctively employed the 'learn by doing' technique and headed for the great outdoors for my first photo op. Zooming in on a tiny wild flower I was amazed by what I saw in the view finder: Nature; up close and personal, in a way I’ve never seen it before. There was such awesome beauty to be found here, captured on film and shared with others; sights we pass by everyday but don’t really SEE. It became a passion.

Shortly after this I also became obsessed with computers. But it would be a few years before this tool became powerful enough to integrate with my photography. I spent those ‘in-between’ years perfecting my skills with the camera and computer so that in 2004; when I acquired my new computer, digital SLR camera and super printer, the stage was already set for a new venture.

Once again I was awestruck as I used my computer to zoom in on my nature photos. I marveled as Nature reviled more of her intricate details in color, light and form. Eagerly I embarked on the digital art world; searching, as I had in nature, for the picture within the picture. Cutting, pasting, flipping, painting, filtering and layering Nature into a whole, new, Digital World.

For my Photo Illustrations I move from the Plant to the Animal Kingdom, trading the macro lens for a telephoto lens and candidly seeking beauty on the emotional level. Clearing out the chaos and confusion; I leave and enhance only the essential elements that make a particular ‘split second in time’ so special.

It would seem an unholy mix; my love for the natural world and enchantment with the digital world, yet, isn’t that what nature is all about: balance and harmony?

A painter starts with a blank canvas and an idea.
I start with a camera and work backwards;
finding the picture within the picture, within the picture………..