Dinah Satterwhite’s photographs, now on display at the library, bring the Northwest landscape indoors.
Familiar scenes like the Grand Forest and the library’s Japanese garden have been transformed by her technique. Sometimes this involves hand-tinting the images; most recently, it has meant shooting with infrared film.
Satterwhite finds inspiration for her work close to home – in her own garden. “Leaves, the rock wall, waterfall and stream, numerous flower beds, roses and the colors of the changing seasons all serve as constant reminders of nature’s beauty.”
The well-matted and framed works have titles like “Sunflower Sally,” “Eye of Pansy,” “Darling Daisies” and “Color Faire” – names that, Satterwhite says, “all have special significance to what I see in the image, either when it was originally taken, or the finished image that resulted once the oils or special technique was applied.”
The infrared shots of the library’s Japanese garden are the provocative pieces in the library exhibit; the slight harshness of infrared images lends edginess to the work and Satterwhite has added original poetry, breaking up one long poem to include several lines with each image.
“I like the mysterious glow you get with infrared,” Satterwhite said, “but it’s a tricky thing. You have to override what you are seeing through the lens.
“The light source will come from heat in the print, the focal point needs to be adjusted and the red filter I use makes everything appear deep red.”
Satterwhite’s corporate background – she majored in business and worked at insurance and high-tech firms in marketing and design – stands her in good stead when it comes to marketing her own work and helping other sell theirs in her post as the event manager for the quarterly Bainbridge Island Arts Walk.
Satterwhite already has her next projects planned. A series later this year will be devoted to photos featuring classic car parts and in 2003 Satterwhite will shoot the Tuscany countryside as she and husband Rob Satterwhite vacation in italy.
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Satterwhite’s photography exhibit, on view at Bainbridge Public Library from January through March 2002, is part of the library’s ongoing series of juried art exhibits begun in 1997. Participating artists are selected by an art selection committee made up of library board members, and contribute 25 percent of any sales to the library.
Call 842-4162 for more information.