Byron Gates Jr [artist/photographer/writer]
Artist Statement “Art has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can recall. I have always been attracted to using nature as my model; I never have to go far to find an encouraging subject, whether recording tiny rain drops on a fallen leaf or an abstract late afternoon shadow lingering from an old fire escape. Taking commonplace subjects and finding visually pleasing art within, art that projects a unique view of a familiar subject and being aware of the texture, color, contrast, shape, and lighting, allows me to go beyond the obvious and discover what is often invisible to the casual observer. I seek images that portray the not so obvious, of the obvious; images of what we are exposed to in every day of our lives, but often do not see. Having to answer to no one, my creative efforts are mine alone; I can explore as I wish, go where I please and create as I desire. It is this freedom that allows me to produce the imagery I see, and art that I am proud of.”
I have been privileged to visit/live and make images in:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, Canada, China, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore and Viet Nam.
My art/images can be found in the collections of:
Ms. Judy Williams/Mr. Michael Williams/Louisiana
The United States Navy Museum/Washington, DC
Mr. Tommy Gibbs/Ms. Andrea Wilson/Louisiana
Ms. Michelle Gillette/Mr. Craig Schub/California
Ms. Sherry Andrean/Mr. Jonathan Owen/Wales
Ms. Paula O’Neal/Ms. Debra Hines/Louisiana
Ms. Christie Starr Featherstone/California
Ms. Michelle Harrington/Kauai, Hawaii
Mr./Ms. Brandon K. Jenkins/Louisiana
Mr./Ms. Robert Neighbors/Arkansas
Mr./Ms. Louis Hejtmanek/Louisiana
Ms. Donna Bartholomew/Louisiana
Ms. Mary Beth O’Connor/Louisiana
Mr./Ms. Rodger Browder/Louisiana
Mr./Ms. Robert Trudeau/Louisiana
Mr. Ben Wade Rushing/Louisiana
Mr./Ms. George Gaw/New York
Mr./Ms. Gary Parson/Arkansas
Mr./Ms. Alex Fountain/Kansas
Ms. Ann Reid Mills/Louisiana
Ms. Pam Atchison/Louisiana
Ms. Polly Fleming/Louisiana
Mr. Rick Scott/Kauai, Hawaii
Mr. Tony Sanders/California
Ms. Donna Mann/Louisiana
Mr./Ms. Dave Ivey/Louisiana
Ms. Shannon Wylie/Oregon
Ms. Lisa Giblin/Louisiana
Mr. Dan Buller/Louisiana
Shows:
ArtCenter College of Design, Los Angeles/Student group shows
University of California, Santa Barbara/Group show
Newport Beach, California/Multilpe gallery group shows
Corona Del Mar, California/One person show
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge/Student show
Laguna Beach, California/Multiple gallery group shows
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii/Gallery group show
Los Angeles, California/Multiple one person and group shows
Shreveport, Louisiana/Multiple one person and group shows
Dallas, Texas/Gallery group and private shows
Constructive criticism:
I shall always welcome your remarks, appreciate, encourage and read with an open heart all constructive criticism and/or personal observations regarding any of my work.
Thanking you in advance,
Byron Gates Jr
Personal eMail
Byron Gates Jr is a member of ! # 1 ARTISTS OF REDBUBBLE !, Complex Simplicity of Art, Yellow Gallery, 60 and Beyond, Abstract Art, Abstract Realism, Abstracts from Nature, Agent Provocateur - T-Shirts with Messages, Agro-Tees, All About Flowers, All things Coffee, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Amazing Graves, Architectural Photography, Artistic Feminine Photography, Beauty of The Human Body , Black and White Photography, Blue Room, Bodyscapes, Cats and Dogs (1 per day), Classic Cars Worldwide, Colors of Water, Colour Me Vibrant Red!, Domestic and Pedigree Cats, Drawn to Cotton- Art on T-shirts, Everyday Life, Fabulous Flowers, Fabulous Ts, Falling Leaves, Flower and Foliage DETAIL - 1 per day (24 hours), Flowers in macro (very close macro please), Food for Thought, For the Love of Cats , 2 images a day, Globes, Spheres and Curves - 2 per day, Gods and Goddesses, Green!, Have Your Say on TShirts, Landscape and Abstract Photography, Masterpieces: Literary Workshop, Minimalism, Mysteries of the Common, Natural Textures, Nerds Unite, Object Studies & Concepts, One Single Flower On Show.. Upload 2 per day, Out of the Blue, People and Portraiture Photography, Photo Tshirts, Photographers self portrait, PixElations - The Art of Photoshop, Pop Art, Safe Haven, Shades of Grey, Skyscapes, Spring Blooms - 2 per day, Still Life ~ Food Photography and Paintings, Strictly Human Faces , Sunrise, Sunset, Tease Me (NO Explicite NUDITY!) 2 per 24 hrs, The Adult Group, The Art of Books, The Eyes Have It, The Urban Environment, THE WAIST UP - Portraiture Photography 2 per day!!!!, Trees , United States, Vibrant and Vivid Color, Visual Texture(no pornography,nudes or offensive works), WMG, Woman Appreciation and You're Accepted.
they know that special place…
what path shall become my way…
when used in such a foul way…
and person is replaced with artist…
do you ever sit and dream of what could be?...
that took thousands of years to perfect…