Paul Grecian - Photography

We first started spending our summer vacation on the northern Outer Banks in 1990 and have only missed 2 trips (the year my daughter was born, and after hurricane Isabel). Otherwise, we have enjoyed 15 years of different weather, shopping, houses, and for me personally, photography.

This year was a mixed bag of weather. At times it was very windy, during the end of the week it was very still. We had days of clouds, bright sun, cool temps and heat. It was just what I would want from a visual point of view. I balance the fact that it is a family vacation, with the desire (dare I say need?) to create new imagery. I work at image making most often in wooded areas, so being in an environment that has many more horizontal elements is actually quite a big deal for me. With the ever constant wave action, I can work with motion as well.

One of my favorite spots on OBX is Pea Island. There wasn’t much bird action when I went so I spent some time on the dunes. I have not been able to work the dunes visually in the past, so this was an opportunity. Since we knew we were coming back to NC this year, and since I have been to Pea Island before, I have had time to think about the imagery I would want to make. I was prepared mentally and tool wise to make graphic images of sand and sky. The wind was blowing fiercely though and seeing was difficult, both literally and figuratively. This image was very much what I was trying to achieve but I really feel that I’d like to go back and explore the Cape Hatteras Seashore more fully.

Anyone who has been to one of the shows where I exhibit will see various pieces made at the Outer Banks. This is some of my more popular work, and better art if I can say so. We are planning to go back next year on a slightly different schedule, so I’ll be thinking about new imagery all year.

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