Featured Artist David Zlotky

Artist David Zlotky uses dramatic lighting and composition to share a sense of place and time, and hidden stories in his photographs. See more of his portfolio by visiting his website.

 

 

For me, fine art photography has evolved as an extension of my years as a painter. I’ve been fortunate to have my paintings included in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, the Truman Library and the Air Force Art Collection. Observing the world as a painter has made me who I am today as a photographer.

 

 

As a painter, I was particularly interested in illustration and making paintings that related to hidden stories. As a photographer, I still love the hidden story.

 

 

Some of my favorite images are of the ruins of old homesteads, long ago abandoned. I wonder who lived there and what their lives were like. In some cases I’m able to learn about them. I try to capture their ghostly presence in the spirit of my images.

 

 

To me, the objects left behind by people in the past are symbolic of their hopes, dreams and struggles.

 

 

I usually find something interesting to photograph in or around an old barn or outbuilding. There’s grace in the patterns and arrangements of things as they hang just as they were left.

 

 

I love the sense of humor displayed by the people living in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas. There is always a collection of old boots on the fence posts that border this intersection at Boothill Road.

 

 

For me, printmaking is an important part of my creative process. Years ago, as a silversmith, I came to appreciate the value of fine craftsmanship. For that reason, and for creative control, I print my images myself using an Epson 24 inch inkjet printer. I sell my work through my website and several galleries.

 

 

I’m always hunting for the beautiful light and the interesting point of view. Since the eclipse was going to reach totality in northern Kansas near my home, I drove with my son up to the Nebraska border, only to be met by an overcast sky. I was more interested in capturing the changing light on the landscape than the moon and sun so I found a beautiful pasture and waited for totality. When it came, the effect was fleeting and extraordinary.

 

 

Although my old darkroom now sits unused, the many hours I spent under the safelight have not been wasted. The lessons I learned while making silver prints still guide me as I dodge and burn my images in Photoshop.

 

 

I’ve been inspired by the work of a diverse group of painters, illustrators and photographers. I love Rembrandt for his use of light and shadow and Andrew Wyeth for the dry sense of spirit that haunts his work. I admire the landscape photography of Ansel Adams and my friend Cole Thompson for their beautiful compositions, craftsmanship, and rich tonality. Moving forward, I’m particularly interested in capturing the moody light and atmospheric beauty exemplified in the Tonalist painting movement.

 

 

Making art has been a wonderful journey full of discovery, occasional frustration, and eventual triumph (usually!)—all part of the creative process. My greatest pleasure is in sharing it with others.

 

Artist David Zlotky invites you to follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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