Galleries & Exhibitions (past & current) › click here
Artist Statement 
My creative process in photography is primarily one of intuition as I witness the constant changing of light and find myself suddenly captivated visually and emotionally by the composition of elements before me. Ever since I can remember, it seems as though I cannot help but be acutely aware of the interplay of forms, textures, patterns, colors, lighting, and atmospheric qualities surrounding me. These elements are constantly changing, and photography is my perfect instrument in capturing what touches me in any particular moment in time and space.
My background as a landscape architect and passion as a photographer and musician for forty years all allow me to artistically share aspects of myself and the world I experience. These forms of art undoubtedly merge together and both consciously and unconsciously guide my compositions. I look for harmony, balance, rhythm, subtlety, and boldness in the images that I capture and create. Although I most often capture the image I desire through exploring multiple exposures of a subject, I am often thrilled to discover new and powerful compositions when later reviewing my work through enlarging, cropping, and layering of images.
To further explore and appreciate the subjects and locations of interest to me, I make a practice of returning to them often. This not only allows me to observe but enhances my state of awareness before and while I photograph. The practice gives me a stronger emotional connection with my subjects and helps me to see sometimes beyond the obvious. My hope is that my images not only present some of the subtle beauty that we sometimes miss but are infused with emotion for others to experience.
For years I used to be so focused on the act of taking photographs that my experience of a place, moment, or subject was significantly limited. It was becoming a fly fisherman 27 years ago that allowed me to grow. After dunking my camera in the river a few times while wading, it became clear early on that the camera needed to stay home or in the car. Once again, as in my boyhood, I began to experience nature and myself more fully and intimately. Paul Caponigro, a well known photographer whose work I admire, writes that “well in advance or between” the actual physical mechanics of making photographs he has “learned that many things can be sensed, seen, shaped or resolved” in a state he calls the “realm of quiet.”
Biography
I am the youngest of six children born into a Montana ranching family. In 1958, when I was three years old, our family moved to Tucson, Arizona. It was here in the beautiful Sonoran Desert that I began developing a keen awareness and connection with the natural environment. Living on the outskirts of the city, I spent countless hours and days exploring the desert plain, foothills and mountains mostly on my own and often barefoot. The pain of being impaled by stepping on the sharp spines of cacti and other flora, the intense summer sun above and heat underfoot, and presence of poisonous creatures quickly made me realize the need to be alert and recognize some of my own physical limitations. Though I would frequently catch hell from my parents for disappearing into my vast playground, the price I paid was well worth the peace, independence, and adventures I found. It was here that I developed a great fondness for nature and first became impressed with the patterns of light and shadow on the landscape.
From early on I spent hours and hours looking at and fascinated by photo images in National Geographic magazines and Time-Life photography books. At age fourteen I was given my first camera by my oldest sister, Abby, upon leaving for a summer trip to Alaska. With my new half-frame Bell & Howell camera in hand, I began my obsession with photography through capturing images of this new, grand and wild landscape.
Attending the University of Arizona, I received a degree in Landscape Architecture, a field of study that integrated my strong interests in ecology, horticulture, science, art, and design. I was thrilled to land a first post-college job in San Francisco, CA where I was easily able to spend weekends and vacation time backpacking and photographing the magnificent Yosemite Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains. The photography and technical books of Ansel Adams were an inspiration to my early work.
My love of music is equal to my passion for photography. Growing up I was fortunate to have siblings who were and still are quite talented in music and art, and their enthusiasms heavily influenced me to study art, guitar, and vocal music. Other than my heart and spiritual connection with my loved ones and my compassion for humanity, nothing touches me more deeply on an emotional level than music.
Northern Colorado has been my home since 1984. I feel very fortunate to live in a geographic location surrounded by such an abundance of natural beauty.
Art Festivals
July 5 - July 7, 2013 - Pikes Peak Arts Fest - America the Beautiful Park, Colorado Springs.
I'll be participating in this three day popular arts event featuring the work of over 100 artists from Colorado and other states. Entertainment and food vendors will be provided throughout the duration of the event. Festival hours are 10 am - 6 pm for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. America the Beautiful Park is located adjacently east of I-25 and south of West Colorado Avenue. Access to the park and parking is off Cimino Drive along the east side of the park. Please come by to say hello and see my most recent work. I'll provide my booth # soon. Selected by jury.
Galleries
May 3 - June 15, 2013 - Colorado Photographic Arts Center - Members' Show. My image
"White Percheron" was selected to be part of the 2013 show. To see all members and images selected for this show please go to the following link: www.cpacphoto.org/2013/04/2013-members-exhibition/.
CPAC is located at 445 South Saulsbury Street, Lakewood, Colorado. There will be a closing reception with artist talks on Saturday, June 15, 4-5:30 pm. Juror: Andrea Wallace, Director of Photography & Digital Media, Anderson Ranch, Snowmass, Colorado.
May 10 - June 29, 2013 - Muse Gallery- Longmont, Colorado. I'll be showing work again as a resident artist during this exhibition period. Please come by and see new work from my "Stratified Horses" and "At 10,000 Feet" portfolios. Concurrently, the Muse WestEND Gallery exhibition "Unmasked" will feature masks created by five Colorado artists and ceremonial masks on loan from the Museo de las Americas in Denver, Colorado. The gallery is located at 356 Main Street, Longmont, Colorado. For more information please visit the Muse Gallery Website at www.artslongmont.org/archives/4.
April 4 - April 7, 2013 - Louisville Art Association - Members' Show. My image
"Stratified Horses No. 9" (see image) was selected for the "Judge's Award" or first place. Show location was at the
Louisville
Center for the Arts, Louisville, Colorado.
February 9 - March 13, 2013 - Canyon Gallery - Boulder Public Library - Boulder, Colorado.
The gallery featured Longmont Studio Tour artists.
Solo Exhibition at The Ranch
March 6 - April 28, 2013 - Britt Ripley Photography Exhibition - The Ranch Country Club - Westminster, Colorado. This exhibition was the largest show of my photography work to date, including imagery from portfolio series "Stratified Horses", "At 10,000 Feet", "One Man's Culture", "Alluring Beauty", "Whispers", and others.
Competitions
"Creatures" Exhibition - The Kiernan Gallery, Lexington, Virginia. My image "Stratified Horses No.7" (see image) was selected for this main gallery exhibition, February 27 - March 23, 2013. The gallery is located in Lexington, Virgina (Website link: kiernangallery.com/-creatures/).
Juror: Anne Berry.
Land Through the Lens Photography Exhibition - My image "Land Whispers" (see image) was selected to be part of this Boulder County (Colorado) Parks & Open Space sponsored exhibition. The exhibition was held at The Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder, Colorado, March 8 - April 19, 2013. Selected by jury.
My image "Stratified Horses No. 7" (see image) was selected for Ex Arte Equinis 6 Equine Art International Competition | Art Horse Magazine. The image is featured on the Ex Arte Equinis 6
Equine Art | Art Horse Magazine online site (click here) and will be included in a show book publication for the competition. Juror: Dorota Kudyba - for Art Horse Magazine.
December 2011 - Image "White Percheron" (see image) selected for Ex Arte Equinis 5 Equine Art International Competition | Art Horse Magazine. Juror: Lyne Raff, Editor - Art Horse Magazine.
Institutional Art Work
New Owensboro Hospital, Kentucky - Owensboro Medical Health System. Serving an eleven county region in western Kentucky, this new state of the art medical facility will have it's grand opening in 2013. Floral images (click here to see) from my "Alluring Beauty" portfolio were purchased to be part of the permanent art collection on display at the hospital. Large 24" x 36" canvas prints of these images will provide a colorful and soothing impact.
Previous Showings
October - December, 2012 - Muse Gallery- Longmont, Colorado. Gallery resident artist.
Selected by jury.
November 9 - December 30, 2012 - Foothills Art Center Gallery - Golden, Colorado. Exhibited work again in the annual HART show. Thanks for a great show. The gallery is located at 809 Fifteenth Street, Golden, Colorado. Selected by jury.
September 29 - 30, 2012 - Longmont Studio Tour - Longmont, Colorado.
Thanks to everyone that came by to see my work during the tour weekend. Thanks too for those of you that purchased work.
November 25 - December 28, 2011 - Center for the Arts Evergreen - Holiday Art Show,
Evergreen, Colorado. The center is located at 32003 - B Ellingwood Trail; 303-674-0056.
Selected by jury.
September 24 - 25, 2011 - Longmont Studio Tour - Longmont, Colorado. Please visit the studio tour Website at ›www.longmontstudiotour.org‹ for specific information. Thanks to you all of you that came by to see my work and paintings by Deborah Coccoli. Selected through jury process.
August 27 - 28, 2011 - Evergreen Fine Arts Festival, Evergreen, Colorado.
Selected through jury process.
August 13 - 14, 2011 - Riverside Fine Arts Festival, Salida, Colorado. The festival is located along the beautiful Arkansas River in historic downtown Salida. Selected through jury process.
July 15, 16 & 17, 2011 - Art Fair Jackson Hole, Jackson, Wyoming. Wow, what a great art festival
with an amazing group of talented artists and helpful festival staff. Selected through jury process.
July 9 - 10, 2011 - Art in the Park, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Selected through jury process.
March 25 - April 9, 2011 - Rabbit Brush Gallery presented "UnBridled", an exhibtion to benefit Colorado Horse Rescue. Artists included Britt Ripley, Sophy Brown, Virginia Wood, Joni Carr, Kahlie Sue Pinello, Catherine Robles Shaw, Pam Furumo, MaryLynn Schumacher, Nancy Anderson, Joe Adamich, and Roxanne Capaul. The gallery is located in Hygiene, Colorado.
March 11 - April 30, 2011 - Muse Gallery WESTend exhibition titled "Round 'Em Up" featured my
western ranching culture photography and fine custom western boots by David
Hutchings and
Jim Brainard. The Muse Gallery is located at 356 Main
Street,
Longmont, Colorado.
November 12 thru December 30, 2010 - Foothills Art Center 2010 HART Show.
Golden, Colorado. Selected by jury.
October thru December, 2010 - Millennium Harvest House Hotel Group Exhibition - Boulder, Colorado. Other artists included painter's Susan Steven, Pat Carney and Barry Gillespie. Selected for exhibition through first place award in photography at 2010 Boulder Arts Association & Longmont Artists' Guild Member's Show.
September 25 & 26, 2010 - Longmont Studio Tour - Longmont, Colorado. Selected by jury.
September 11 & 12, 2010 - Durango Autumn Arts Festival - Durango, Colorado.
Selected by jury.
September 10 - October 1, 2010 - Longmont Studio Tour Preview Exhibition -Muse Gallery (old town Longmont). Group exhibition featuring work by artists of the 2010 Longmont Studio Tour. The Muse Gallery is located at 356 Main Street, Longmont, Colorado. Selected by jury.
June 11-13, 2010 - Bellvue Store Art Gallery Group Show - Bellvue, Colorado. Invited to participate in a group art show at this quaint rural gallery located just northwest of Fort Collins. Show also featured well know local painter Pam Furumo.
June 9 - 13, 2010 - Boulder Arts Association & Longmont Artists' Guild Member's Show, Longmont, Colorado. Awarded First Place in the photography catagory for my image "One Man's Culture"
(see image ›‹). Juror: Diane Perry.
May 29 - 31, 2010 - Boulder Creek Festival - Boulder, Colorado.
Selected by jury to exhibit my photography work in the Art Show Tent.
May 3 - May 27, 2010 - Solo exhibition Rawhide, Steel & Bone at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Gallery One, Boulder, Colorado. Twenty-four images were exhibited, featuring work from two of my ongoing portfolio series - "At 10,000 Feet" and
"One Man's Culture". Selected through jury process.
April 23 - May 21, 2010 - Evergreen Art Open. Two of my western ranch culture images were juror selected to be part of this seventy piece mixed media exhibition. My image "Paint Profile"
(see image ‹›) was awarded Best of Show for the exhibition. I also received a Merit Award for my image "One Man's Culture" (see image ›‹). Evergreen Center for the Arts, Evergreen, Colorado. Sponsored by the Evergreen Artists Association.
Juror: Doug Dawson.
2010 - Image selected for the FLORAL Exhibition at The Vermont Photography Workplace / PhotoPlace Gallery. Feb. 9 – Mar. 6, 2010.
Middlebury, Vermont.
Juror: Sally Apflebaum.
11/2009 through 12/2009 - Foothills Art Center, Golden, Colorado. Selected by jury to participate
in the annual FAC HART show.
2009 - Two images selected for The West - Old, New, Wild, True exhibition at the Chautauqua Community House, Boulder, Colorado. September 4 - 7, 2009.
Juror: Mary Williams.
2004 - Three selected works for member exhibition at
The Center for Fine Art Photography,
Fort Collins, Colorado.
2004 - Image selected and awarded honorable mention for 2004 International Fine Art Photography Exhibition at
The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Juror: Mary Virginia Swanson.
1999 - Solo exhibition of twenty-five giclée prints at Lloyd’s Art Gallery, Fort Collins, Colorado.