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Every so often a moment comes along that can be inspirational for an artist. That was the case for Susan K. Friedland, when she snapped the photo, "Equus 1," which is now on view in the New York Center for Photographic Arts' online gallery, "Black and White 2020," at www.nyc4pa.com. Named a Juror's Selection (by jurist Dan Burkholder, a pioneer of digital photographic technology) it was one of only 40 images chosen from more than 1,700 entries. This virtual exhibit also marks a return of Ms. Friedland's work to the New York City market. "2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, so I am thrilled and honored to have had my work chosen for this virtual online gallery exhibit," said Ms. Friedland. While walking through the rain in the mountains of North Carolina, Ms. Friedland -- ever on the lookout for an interesting photo op -- spied a horse in a pasture. "I saw this soaking wet horse, and the way the light was reflecting off his hair, and I knew I had the shot," she said. She explained the horse refused to look at the camera, which she interpreted as the animal making it clear that it did not want its picture taken, but she persevered. Ms. Friedland calls this photograph her Mona Lisa. "Sometimes the stars align and you realize you have something special," she said. "I knew this was the shot and I went for it because I also know the moment can be fleeting." At another moment in time, this one at Anderson's Sunflower Farm in Cumming, Georgia, Ms. Friedland went at the end of the growing season to photograph the farm's vast fields of sunflowers. She explained there is a short window of opportunity to view this spectacular place, as the farm is open only for a few months each year. "It's easy to see the beauty of a flower in full bloom, but I wanted to capture the beauty of the thing as it's decaying," she said. The result was Ms. Friedland's photo, "Sunflower In B & W," which will be included in Atlanta Photography Group's virtual online exhibit, "Director's Cut," beginning December 17, 2020. The photo was chosen by the group's executive director, Judith Pishery, from among numerous images submitted by Atlanta-area artists throughout 2020. Access to the online gallery is at www.atlantaphotographygroup.org. These works by Ms. Friedland may be purchased through the two photography organizations name above, or by contacting us through this website.
One of my great joys is visiting and photographing the American West. I have been fascinated with it since I was a little girl thanks in part to my father's appreciation for Native American art forms, including turquoise jewelry, intricate beadwork and colorful designs. My husband and I honeymooned at Yosemite National Park nearly 42 years ago, where I was struck by the extraordinary beauty and grandeur of the landscapes that were the inspiration for Ansel Adams. And, of course, I adore horses, which I ride as well as photograph. Today I try to get out west whenever I can. I have photographed all over the west -- Pacific Northwest, California, Southwest, Big Sky Country, and I love our national parks -- it never gets old for me. In my art, though, I always try to stay true to my aesthetic which is to find the beauty in all things around me. It's not hard to find the beauty of the landscapes -- there I'm trying to capture the impossible because there is nothing more magnificent than actually being there. It's a little trickier when I'm trying to capture the beauty of ordinary objects, especially when they're old and faded and cast aside, like rusty horseshoes, dirty cowboy boots, or decrepit barns. But, it's all beautiful to me in its own way. I've posted some of the pics taken recently in Montana in the Galleries tab of this website that I hope will transport you in your mind's eye to that magical place, so you too, viewer, can experience the beauty of the majesty and the grandeur as well as the old and the rusty.
"Spring Garden" was selected for exhibit as part of Women In Focus' XXVII juried art show at Atlanta's Mason Fine Art gallery next month. The exhibit runs in conjunction with the annual Atlanta Celebrates Photography festival at various locations throughout Atlanta and its metro area. The photo was taken at Gibbs Gardens, Ball Ground, Georgia, in the Spring once COVID-19 restrictions allowed outdoor excursions. "The gardens served as an inspiration for me -- a reminder that no matter what difficulties we may be facing, the earth still turns, seasons change, and we shall get through this," Ms. Friedland said. "I am so grateful that my work is to be included in this prestigious exhibit, and I hope it provides a source of inspiration to others." "Spring Garden" will be on view, along with the work of many other talented Atlanta-area artists, at Mason Fine Art, 415 Plasters Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, October 1 - November 6, 2020.