Inspirational Islander: Alison Shaw
In these cold dark days of winter when the hydrangeas have dried, the grass has browned, and the seas have darkened; many of Alison Shaw's photographs transport us back to the warm, lazy, days of summer. When viewing her summer images you can almost feel the temperature rise.
Alison has spent the past 35 years viewing the island from the other side of a camera. Her classic Vineyard scenes, the richness of her work, the subtle nuances she freezes in her frames of our everyday lives, speak to the heart.
From West Tisbury's flowers and Farmers Markets to the canals and cathedrals of Venice, Alison Shaw's lens is multi dimensional. Her photographs are more akin to rich oil paintings. Her spectrum of color encompass every conceivable combination; brilliant and tantalizing to the subdued and gentle.
When Alison photographs food, her images linger on your palette. An island landscape that we've seen hundreds of times before, is transformed before our eyes. She captures natural light with masterful timing. The contrast of her black and whites are equally as powerful.
Even her most recent images emit nostalgia. Alison's photographs inspire us to want to get out into nature, walk that beach, attend that market, travel and see the world...quite simply her work inspires all to want to experience life.
Martha's Vineyard inspires Alison Shaw, but Alison Shaw most certainly inspires Martha's Vineyard.
To view Alison's wide variety of work or attend one of her photography workshops you can visit her gallery located in the heart of the Arts District in Oak Bluffs. The gallery is in the old firehouse building at 88 Dukes County Avenue. (508) 696-7429 (696-SHAW). Alison's work is shown in galleries all around the world. To view her latest work, award winning photographs, and many published books, visit her web site at; www.alisonshaw.com.
Which Islander inspires you? We would love to hear your story. Submit your own “Inspirational Islander” story for consideration in our next issue. Send your stories to; editor@islandinspirationmag.com