Galleries Shmalleries

Never have I been so inspired by an artist! Abstract art (to me) is devoid of talent, I will never have the house to go with Baroque or Renaissance paintings, and besides they're dreary and unproportional. Wandering art galleries, hands behind my back, speaking in a low whisper; not my idea of a good time... Until now!

Drum roll please...

... Photographer Thomas Barbey (formerly known as Italian pop star, Thomas Hooker. That's right, photography was a mere after thought for this talented virtuoso). The kicker is his images are all created in the dark room (not a computer in sight). Here's a closer look at some of my favorites:

That middle one is the Banyan tree in Lahaina. It is not in water, and if those people were actually walking on it they would be the size of birds (to give you some perspective). I was taking pictures of the Banyan tree moments before walking into his gallery and my pictures looked so ridiculous! I never thought to take it from that angle. (I didn't want to admit I'm here in Maui, but I couldn't wait to talk about this).

The last one is the floating market in Bankok inside the palace of Versailles. Unbelievable, right? What a creative mind! Not to mention the panestaking hours to tediosly overlay negatives. Barbey actually didn't even intend on sharing them with the public, so you know they are a true labor of love!

Sometimes it feels like in this day and age there is not much left to be created, it's all been done, but this is something new and thought provoking. I love his art, and that is saying a lot.