Skip Montello
Reflections of a Quarry Wall
Today, most of the quarries of Cape Ann were abandoned during the 1930’s and since then have filled with both rain and spring water to form deep ponds. Many of the quarries are now hidden in forests which nature has reclaimed. I strive to capture and share a vision of our world, an image of a point in time, an image that describes the reality of that exact moment, a moment that most likely will not occur again. Every day brings new and fresh opportunities to record the reflection of a quarry wall on glassy calm water or a thin sheet of fresh ice. These reflection images provide unique and intricate patterning sure to inspire a viewer’s imagination
Owing to its colorful beauty, the stone can get its color a number of ways from varying percentages of minerals present in the stone, to the environment in which the stone walls were created (exposure to different elements and/or organic materials). The intriguing rock designs were created by cutting and splitting large blocks of granite and in some cases, an artistic carving created by a Quarryman.
Creative inspiration abounds on Cape Ann owing so much to its ocean, rocky coastline and miles of woodland trails. My creative inspiration has much to draw from as every day and every season provides a seemingly endless diversity of photographic opportunities whether from an explosion of color from a rising or setting sun to the many fishing boats and seaside structures that populate its many harbors. I am also drawn to the serenity and beauty found within its deep woods where the remnants of days past can be found among the abandoned quarries and homesteads. There is no other place that I have travelled to that inspires me more.
Artist Bio
Skip Montello is a photographer working and living in Rockport Massachusetts. He is an exhibiting member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony, Rocky Neck Gallery, Rockport Art Association, Newburyport Art Association and the Griffin Museum of Photography.
His passion for photography developed during his career at the Polaroid Corporation, where he spent more than 30 years as a photographic scientist, engineer and technology leader. Over the years he has moved from film based media to digital. He has a deep love for the area in which he lives and is constantly inspired by the ocean. When not photographing, he is a sport fishing charter captain, sailing instructor and outdoor writer.
Montello’s photography is frequently displayed in many juried photography exhibits around the country. His photography has earned numerous awards at the art associations in Rockport and Newburyport and the worldwide Nikon Small Wonders Competition. He has exhibited in several solo exhibits including art associations and public libraries. His work is held in private collections in the USA and Europe.
Montello is a graduate of Northeastern University, Engineering and Science and a US Navy Submarine Veteran.
http://www.skipmontellophotos.com
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