Our thanks to reporter Pamela Lannom who covered the Hinsdale Public Library reception for her local newspaper. Read her story below:
Artist Statements
I started photography as a hobby and it turned into a passion. I find it fascinating to shoot a sunrise and a sunset. Noticing how the colors change as the sun rises in the early morning is like God creating his art. Nothing to me can replace photographing God at this best artwork.
Tommy L.I love the way Chicago is. It is my kind of town. I take pictures.
Ralph C.The Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier Chicago is awesome. I wanted everyone to know how it feels when you stand at the bottom of the stairs, excited and afraid to get on. So, I laid on the ground and took this picture, and then I ran away!
Sharon C.The day is to be a man’s job. I like to walk and see the Chicago waters.
John L.It is amazing to join the 2017 photo show. Welcome to Chicago. A) L Train going south on Orleans St. B) A local “lodge” bar on Division and State. C) Eye catching of trees with different direction. D) Here we Chicagoans still have rules.
Sandra J.The world of structure, enthusiasm, accomplishment in photo synthesizing and obedience in learning. These are my feelings about photography.
David C.Um.. Hello, this is America. You can salute the Flags. You can pray like Mary. You can roar like a lion. You can soar and fly like an eagle. Your call.
Kenny S.Children of a lesser God. Light a candle in the window until the morning light. Take hold of your dreams- hold them tight. The future of this world is in your hands. Carl Anderson 1991 (Judas-Jesus Christ Superstar).
Vernon J.It was winter and it had snowed for the first time of the season so I wanted to capture the Picasso in the snow.
William H.ONLY IN MY MIND’S EYE Do I enjoy my perfect photographs. perfect subject, perfect lighting, perfect composition. I then raise my camera, release the shutter, and that original moment in time is gone forever, never to be repeated again. That short delay of the shutter, and dust on the lens, the printer’s inks, and even the texture of the photo paper, all conspire to distort my “perfect image”. It is with this in mind, that I sincerely hope that I can transport the v… Read more
Ray B.What I like about the project is that it was fun doing it and I hope some sell. I like water and the river because they are peaceful and quiet. I wanted to capture the moment.
Aaron C.I took photography in high school. I have been involved with Catholic Charities for three years. This is my first time doing the Visions’ class. I have also sold artwork with the Chicago Association of Retarded Citizens. What inspired me to take the picture of the moon was the way it was, kind of play hide and seek with clouds on a cold winter’s night; a clock is a work beauty, and river on a cold winter day with the city what a sight to look at.
Tracy B.“Great are the works of the LORD ; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:2-3 I am always pondering the beauty of this world. The unique symmetry of each variety of flower, shrub or tree is breathtaking. I choose the Daffodils, the Azaleas, the exotic Scilla Peruviana, and the leaf of the Papaya tree to display in this year’s photo show. I hope that you enjoy these selections.
Marie H.I have had done the photo project before and I have had fun doing it. My pictures tell you what I love and what I am. I love nature and art and animals, wildlife as well.
Aisa O.The shape of my photo picture is the flower, the color shape of it like shape from the build is how it was the color in it is so good. I like my photo. It is good to have the shape bring out the color in it, just great. It must be my flower that the color brings out. It’s ok to me. Many things you see can inspire you and help you see things differently, but the moment the eyes to your heart are open it will inspire you even more because now it’s not only the eye that captures what inspires yo… Read more
Joe J.The view from the river walk to the lake emphasizes the beauty of our city.
Valerie B.Enjoying the sun reflecting on the building while walking through the city.
Bobby L.I started taking photos as a hobby. I was bored with a lot of free time. I started paying attention to the scenery that I took for granted every day. For example, sunrise, moon and sunshine. As dusk starts to settle in that’s when things get calm and relaxing, my perfect time for photos/photography.
Tommy L.I like to talk to others and see a new life Time is not good, I don have a job or home. Working for it all but pictures and the photo project are helping me to look up. Being with friends at the photo project has helped me.
John L.Had a good time doing it. Hope you love them as much as I do.
Paul S.I wanted to take pictures of the Cubs celebration because this is the first time they won since 1908. Who knows when they will do it again. Hopefully the Cubs will win in 200, too!
Ronald G.The photo class program gives you a chance to use your imagination to create an artistic way to express your feelings about photography. The reflections of my images, I tried to bring out the beauty of the world.
William R.This year’s photo show has helped me gain more insight to my own life persona in the eyes of this young artistic dragon-sized spirit of mine and I am forever grateful.
Shaolin M.Everything must be rooted and grounded in love according to the Bible. The flower, carrots and the celery were rooted and grounded in love, so was our country, symbolized by the flag and Patriot on the Horse. Want to change the world… root for love, by loving yourself and others, by making a world a better place for all to love. That is how you change the world; root for love, by being rooted in love. Sow love, reap love, reap what showed and grounded in love.
Kenny S.When I took the pictures, I felt full of joy and happiness. I smelled the colorful flowers and was inspired to take the pictures. The statue was about church. I felt I needed to take the picture because it was a still life. The picture with the grass is full of green, which is my favorite color and most of all it was a beautiful day.
Markeara L.I spent the summer in Cedar Michigan last year, and the view at most everywhere I went was breathtaking, so here are some of the sights I would like to share.
Robert R.I love the “poetry” photo. When I was 14 years old Gwendolyn Brooks visited my High School and read her poems. It was my first introduction to a Poet Laureate. Ms. Brooks explained to my class the definition of a Poet Laureate. Ms. Brooks literally spoke these words “We Real Cool.” After Supper Visions teachers have inspired me. They are the reason why I took these photos.
Kim J.The photos give us good idea of the future of Chicago: buildings and landscapes that are beautiful. The photo project inspires me to look for pictures I want to take.
Donnell W.The photography class was great. It gave me a chance to be creative and to see the beauty of God.
Tracey M.This is my seventh year in the photo show and I love to take pictures of trees and plants outdoors. I like how the shadows fall on the shot. My best picture is the tree with sunshine just on the front.
Jerry T.My friend and I go out to take pictures as a team and enjoy and compare.
Roberta J.This is a photo catch of Chicago’s Rye. One of many beautiful aspects of architectural foundation. Look, see, wonder.
Ralph W.I came to Catholic Charities to be in the class on Wednesday and one of my friends told me about the class on Tuesday. I love to take pictures of colors and shapes. Pictures to me is artwork. Each picture to me has a shape and color; it tells you a story about something. As a child, I was in art classes and I find art is a melody; it is also like a book with a beginning and an ending.
Lori V.As the saying goes: A picture is worth a thousand words. In other words, pictures can tell a story. Good or bad, happiness, sadness, whatever the story might be; a visual of what you are trying to say could help the story be told better.
Christopher D.The heavens are higher than the earth symbolized by the globe, it is even higher than the Willis tower aka Sears Tower. It is higher than the flags along with the Willis Tower, and the new Ferris Wheel featured at Navy Pier. To err may be human, but heaven is always divine, and such are we.
Cheryl H.The one thing I love about art is the flowers, plants and the way you can capture it all if you have that eye for the perfect picture before it is all gone.
Robert S.I came to Catholic Charities to be in the class on Wednesday and one of my friends told me about the class on Tuesday. I love to take pictures of colors and shapes. Pictures to me is artwork, each picture to me has a shape and color, it tell you a story about something. As a child I was in art classes and I find art is a melody. It’s also like a book, it has a beginning and an ending.
Lori V.I try to take photos that show beauty in its many forms. I have named my photos (for fun): A) High on LSD B) Beau Bridges C) Monet Tree D) Rhapsody in Blue
Barry G.Photography puts us in the Here and Now. It teaches us beauty, and therefore life itself is fleeting.
Vernon J.Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities I have even seen in the world. At night it is magnificent and serene and it is always the talk of the town. My building photos make me think of clear blue skies. Buildings have been here for many years and they are as beautiful as they are landmarks. As I keep photographing I keep finding new and beautiful places the city has to offer.
Valerie B.