Louise Shye: Artist Statement Revised

To me, art is an expression of the artist’s innermost feelings that come straight from the heart. It is there that an artist will find inspiration.

My inspiration for my work as a photographer is fueled by my passions for horses and the rugged, natural beauty of the places where they are found and the people who are surrounded by them.  I find myself continually awed by the rustic texture that is so prevalent in the vast western ranch culture.  Thus, I am driven to capture it with my camera and share this rich culture with the world.

This western ranch culture has become engrained within my personal persona. Although it is immense, and often grand, there is also an underlying subtleness that escapes the average traveler.  So, with my photography I strive to show the subtle detail through my images that are often unnoticed by the casual observer. These are the smaller details of a lifestyle that are only noticed if one has experienced it.

Although photography is thought to capture only the visual sense that is seen through the lens of the camera, I try to have my audience experience multiple sensory inputs when they view my images.  My goal is to capture the touch of a horse’s muzzle, the sound of a gentle breeze and the warmth of the morning sun as it rises over the prairie.  In my work, I strive to provide my audience the same experience that I am sensing as an actual eye witness.