What captures my imagination and what I explore in my art

I am interested in edges and intersections of transformation where one thing moves inexorably to become something else. When, for instance, does the caterpillar end and the butterfly begin? When is the moment when love fades into anger and resentment; when disillusionment erupts into a violent uprising; when order descends into chaos? And when is the moment when war turns towards peace; when unbearable grief shifts towards acceptance; or when pain gives way to relief?

Thanks to my practice as a psychotherapist, I have witnessed the transformation of the human spirit. I am in awe of resilient clients who pick up the pieces of a broken life and find a regenerated purpose.

The natural metaphors of transformation are abundant: caterpillar to butterfly, the aging process, changing states of matter, to name a few. In my work I seek out places where a close-up view of a known object reveals new patterns of color, texture and form. I'm inspired by the edges of things: where land meets sea, rock becomes earth and sky becomes cloud. In the photomontages I weave together natural elements into abstract forms; playing with the intersections of shapes, forms, and colors.

The natural environment shows us that all things change. Transformation starts the moment something comes into being, hurtling towards disintegration and then resurrecting in a new form. For me, this is a promise of renewal and a reminder of my connection to everything.


How I got interested in photography
My fascination with photography began at an early age. My father was an amateur photographer and my mother a painter and pianist. From an early age I was immersed in the arts. I got my first Brownie camera at age 8 and began shooting everything I saw. Watching the magic of an image emerge from the developing tray in my dad's darkroom; spending afternoons lying under the baby grand piano with waves of sound resonating around and through me; texture, pattern, fluidity, and change - these are my earliest influences and they continue to unfold in my work.

Where I live and where I can be seen

I am fortunate to call the Southwest - a place of incredible natural beauty - my home. I have lived in Tucson, AZ since 1975 when I moved here to pursue a Master's Degree in Counseling at the University of Arizona. When I retired from a long career in mental health, I turned my attention full time to photography, ultimately finding my niche in photographing natural subjects. 

My work hangs in galleries, as well as in private and corporate collections throughout the US. My work has been featured at Waxlander Gallery in Santa Fe, PhotoPlace Gallery in Middlebury, VT, and Afterimage Gallery in Dallas. I have representation through Cynthia Byrnes Contemporary Art in New York. Since 2009, 12 of my bodies of work have received honorable mentions from the International Photography Awards. In 2015 I was selected for ASMP's Best of 2015 award.
All images are captured using a Sony NEX7 or Nikon D3X. Digital files are optimized using Adobe Lightroom; photomontages are created in Adobe Photoshop. Archival prints are editioned, signed and dated.

Organizations I belong to
ASMP (American Association of Media Professionals)
Shootapalooza (a murmuration of mostly women working with photographic processes)
How I'm involved in my community
Twice a year I raise money for the Tucson Botanical Gardens by taking portraits of dogs at the Gardens.
I'm also a member of the Media Circle documenting the annual Tucson All Souls Procession an all volunteer community event honoring those who have passed on.
Want to see more?
Click on the icons in the upper righthand corner of this page to follow me on Instagram @vstromee or on facebook Vicky Stromee Photography