©2018  Ellen Jantzen

Unexpected Geology #8a

Photographer Spotlight

Unexpected Geology

Artist Statement

In this series I am exploring the realm of one’s environmental surroundings, how that is absorbed into one’s psyche and how this changes through relocations.
My move from the relatively flat Midwest (my place of birth) to the mountainous West (New Mexico, specifically) needed some adjustments in my way of working and seeing. Initially I was stymied by this landscape that is so fraught with cliché. But, I soon found myself aspiring to bring my new home into focus, to make it my own.

I stand back and take it all in. I have always been intrigued with mountains, their formation, evolution and beauty. I find the history of geology fascinating, the ebb and flow of minerals, deposits and formations. I am intrigued with how small rocks and stones are, essentially, mountains except for size. They are made of the same materials and minerals. Ratio, proportion, relative size, all plays a part in the magnitude of the structures. There is an aesthetic magic of scale. Lately I have been including petroglyphs found on rock formations bringing the ancient history of rocks and people together.

I approach this work as both a window through which I observe my new surrounds (recording what I see) and a mirror where I bring my sensibilities to bear, reflecting my inner state of being. I use layering and blending modes to merge the observed environment with my internal intuition. At times I digitally place stones in my photographs of mountainous landscapes while obscuring the scale references. Other times I distort and raise the landforms in a digital dance of perception.

-Ellen Jantzen

Unexpected Geology

All images use with permission © Ellen Jantzen

BIO

I don’t consider myself a “photographer” but an image-maker, as I create work that bridges the world of photography, prints and collage. As digital cameras began producing excellent resolution, I found my perfect medium. It was a true confluence of technical advancements and creative desire that culminated in my current explorations in photo-inspired art using both a camera to capture imagery and a computer to alter, combine and manipulate the pieces.

My work is shown and published internationally.

I was awarded “Special Photographer of The Year” in the 2017 International Photography Awards.

I was 1st place winner in the 2017 International Photography Awards, Digitally Enhanced Category

I was one of 15 women photographers chosen to receive the Julia Margaret Cameron Award!!!  This is quite a distinction in the photography world honoring women photographers!!!

Along with the honor, I participated in the Berlin Biennial that took place in October 2016.

I was also awarded First Place (Fine Art, Special Effects Category) in the Moscow International Foto Awards, 2016 and First Prize, Fine Art in the prestigious PX3, Prix de la Photographie Paris for my series “Transplanting Reality; Transcending Nature”

My work has been shown in galleries and museums world-wide as well as numerous web-based sites. I am represented by, among others, the Susan Spiritus Gallery in Newport Beach CA, the Bruno David Gallery in St. Louis MO and Edition One Gallery, Santa Fe NM.

My work can also be seen on my website: http://www.ellenjantzen.com/

We love Ellen’s unique photography…Links to her previous works publish in ragazine.cc….