~ an artist and photographer focused on capturing the beauty of the natural world. I am based in the Northern Neck end of the Middle Peninsula of Virginia where I was born and raised. I grew up on the water completely surrounded by the wild splendor that is so abundant in this region. It was quite literally, everywhere I looked, so I developed a deep connection with the outdoor world from a very young age. I’m still consumed by the allure of nature, and my camera is merely an extension of my fascination. The magical dance of light and shadow is a constant evolution as light changes through different weather, seasons or even the hours of the day. I very purposefully place myself within this sacred space finding my own rhythm, my own voice through my lens. And so I wander, camera in hand, forever enthralled by the magic of earth’s palette, forever seeking to capture the beauty of this dance, as it reveals the textures, forms and moods of our beautiful, beautiful world.
My Journey
Perhaps like many photographers, I didn’t set out on a planned journey to be an artist per se. I grew up surrounded by art and creativity, and I have come to realize I was simply destined to follow in the footsteps of my family’s legacy. My mother was an art history major and while she didn’t pursue a career in art, her vibrant imagination nurtured my own creativity from the time I was a small child. My paternal grandfather, Don Leary was a renowned seascape painter known by his pseudonym MCharles. While I never got to know him, his art hung on the walls of my childhood home and I was drawn to his talent and the mystery of who he was. My uncle, Dean Leary, is a well respected abstract sculptor and he certainly played a role enriching my environment with his creations. Artistic expression was the soundtrack of my youth. My Daddy, famously known as “Mr. Mike” was a talented musician who was also a diverse and very talented artist. He played guitar, he drew, he worked with wood and he also happened to be an excellent photographer. He documented all aspects of life and spent long periods of time setting up more complex shots of subjects like the full moon. He recognized very clearly that life’s fleeting moments are treasures to be seized, and he believed the camera should always be within arms reach, ready to freeze time. That was just what he did. Through his lens, I learned the value of capturing a moment in time with a camera. I consider myself beyond blessed with piles of photos that document an enchanted journey through life. Nature, family, dogs, cars, boats, and travel both near and far. Jokingly, I like to credit Mr. Mike as being the innovator who thought of the selfie and we have the shots to prove that he truly was the man with a million faces. His charismatic personality drew an eclectic cast of characters into my childhood, many leaving lasting impressions that nurtured my love of photography. The first photographer I remember was a dear family friend lovingly known as Beebo. Daddy had set up a photo shoot to highlight the custom work he’d done on his Harley for submission to Easyrider magazine. These images, along with many others morphed into iconic, core memories for me. Another family friend, Kelly Ann McGrath often photographed my Daddy playing music. I remember very well how she was rarely without her camera, and of course many of her images remain to vividly tell the story of that era of our lives. Throughout my entire childhood the pattern and process of documenting life was making a huge impression.
I left Gloucester at 21 years old and embarked on a transformative journey marked by growth, discovery and evolution. I took a sales job to make ends meet and discovered a reservoir of inner strength and confidence that gave me a foundation for a successful sales career lasting nearly 30 years. Through all those years I met friends who became family, two of which truly inspired me to actually pick up a camera of my own. I first met Cezanne Martini, a visionary artist and photographer who had a unique way of viewing the world. Cezanne’s lens and the creative work she did in the dark room was so impressive to me. Her intuition and ability to capture the hidden rhythms and textures of the world masterfully rendered so much more than just an image. I felt such a strong connection with her, it was much more than just being inspired, it was an inspired understanding of what a great photo “feels” like. Another visionary, Vicki Stephan, entered my life as a friend who became close family. She had a keen eye for photography as well as the discipline to bring her camera everywhere. That may seem everyday to many people as we walk around with our “cameras” in our hand these days. In the nineties that wasn’t the case. Capturing the moment was a far more involved endeavor before smart phones came along. There were batteries to keep charged, lenses to keep safe and clean, and lastly, film to purchase and then develop. Vicki meticulously documented our family's milestones, developing film and creating albums that have become cherished family heirlooms. She provided the total package: preserving memories and allowing us to relive and share them time and again.
In 1998 I made a move and purchased a very basic 35mm Canon SureShot 70. It did a great job and I loved having it but it almost immediately left me wanting more than it could give. By 2000 I had graduated to a Canon EOS Rebel 2000 and I was limited only by budget for the film and developing! The angst of deciding to get double prints was painful! It was after all a guessing game. There was no way to know what shots you got until pick up day! By 2006 I was reaching for the camera more and more and feeling ready for the next level. My first digital SLR was the Canon Powershot S2 IS and it was the perfect camera and it remains my favorite to this day. The low light performance of this camera allowed me to capture such amazing images. I shot over 45,000 pictures with that first camera and you will see some of them on this website! The liberation from worrying about wasted film gave me the freedom to experiment and explore, which had a profound impact on my self-discovery and artistic growth as a photographer.
In 2007 I joined the social media platform known as MySpace and it was as if fate had struck a cord that fueled my courage to share my photography. Suddenly I found myself surrounded by a vibrant community of artistic minds, each one inspiring me to see the world through fresh eyes. Among this talented new tribe, one connection stood out and sparked a creative and personal bond that would forever change my life. That connection was with James Dylan, a kindred spirit and soulmate who would become my husband and partner in art, life and love. A master of diverse artistic expression, James’s talents spanned music, visual art and graphic design. I fell deeply in love with him and I am forever grateful for they way he passionately encouraged me to explore every facet of my creativity. With James by my side, my world transformed into a kaleidoscope of color and sound, a masterpiece of love and inspiration.
I have tried all types of photography from capturing love stories through wedding photography, to freezing time with senior portraits, and even embracing intimacy with boudoir and pregnancy photography. I’ve immensely enjoyed the thrill of capturing musicians and the serenity of landscape and nature photography. But among all these, landscapes and nature remain my true passion, especially the breathtaking beauty of sunsets. There’s something about chasing the golden light, capturing the vibrant hues, and preserving the fleeting moments of beauty that speaks to my soul. Together, James and I have traveled thousands of miles, cameras in hand, hoping to preserve moments that would otherwise vanish. As we meander down scenic byways, the rhythm of the road synchronizes our hearts, reminding us to appreciate life’s simple joys - a vibrant tapestry of color, a symphony of sound and the harmony of us. In these moments, our bond deepens, and inspiration flows, reminding us that the world’s beauty is not just around us but also within us.
Through this journey, my artistic voice has evolved, nurtured by the creative community that surrounds me. With art woven into my very DNA, I'm grateful for the kindred spirits who inspire me – James, foremost among them. These images represent the beauty we've encountered, the love we've shared, and the moments we've treasured. I hope you find joy in them, just as I have in capturing their essence.
