Artist Statement
G.M. Howerton, a multiple award winning photographer, creates fine art images in Black & White in a traditional “Wet Tray” darkroom. All of the photographs Howerton offers for sale are created on “Silver Gelatin” fiber paper and are created solely from film.
Following techniques used since the turn of the century, Howerton strives to achieve maximum image stability in his photographs while adhering to archival standards He does Not digitally or computer manipulate his photographs in any way.
Howerton, a Virginia native, left home at 17 for Europe where he lived in Italy. While there, he traveled extensively, visiting locations such as Egypt, Africa, Great Britain, Greece, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the French Riviera, and many of the Italian, Greek and Spanish islands.
Upon returning to America, Howerton pursued an education, obtaining degrees in Data Processing and Management Information Science. His Corporate career began at NASA where he worked as an analyst in support of various computer systems. He ended his Corporate career in Richmond, Va, where he spent 15 years working for a well known Housing Agency, leaving his position as the Assistant Director of Enterprise Program Management to pursue a career in art.
In 1999, he began to devote much of his time to photography. After several years of participating in Art Shows, Howerton’s potential was noticed by an Award Winning photographer. This photographer offered Howerton private training which included Ansel Adam’s Zone System. This knowledge became Howerton’s turning point.
Armed with the Zone System, Howerton immediately began to create images that were both bold and emotionally expressive.
Howerton’s work has been referred to as “Environmental Isolationism”, absent of the daily presence of humanity. He prefers to consider his approach to photograph as a search for an escape from the day to day excess. To capture nature absent the distraction of the human element, Howerton travels great distances under extreme conditions to obtain his images.
Work Held in Permanent and Private Collections
MCV Hospital Permanent Collection - Richmond, Va.
Foreign Private Collections: France, India, Nova Scotia, Australia, England,
Wales, and Nova Scotia
Private Collections in 35-40 of the United States.
Current Affiliations:
Glave Kocen Gallery Richmond, Va
Past Affiliations:
Crossroads Art Center Richmond, Va
Norma Glamp’s Gallery Provincetown, Ma.
Rentz Gallery Richmond, Va
Shockoe Bottom Art Center Richmond, Va
Uptown Gallery Richmond, Va
Morning Glory Gallery Gloucester, Va
Second Vice President Metropolitan Art Association - Richmond, Va.
Education:
Howerton holds degrees in Data Processing & Management Information Science
Howerton received private training from a Multiple Award Winning photographer in the use
of Ansel Adam’s Zone System of Photography.
Awards and Distinctions
Disney's "Festival of the Masters" 2011 - 1st Place Photography Award - Orlando, Fl
Fall Foliage Festival 2011 - 1st Place Photography Award
Artsplosure 2011 - Judges Merit Award
Fall Foliage Festival 2010 - Judges Choice Award - Waynesboro, Va.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk Show 2010 - Best in Photography - Va. Beach, Va.
Art on the Square 2009 - 1st Place Photography Merit Award - Roanoke, Va.
An Art Affair 2008 - 1st Place Photography - Richmond, Va.
Lynchburg Art Festival 2008 - Camera Shop Award - Lynchburg, Va.
Decatur Arts Festival 2008 - 3rd Place Fine Art Award - Decatur, Ga.
An Art Affair 2007 - 1st Place Photography - Richmond, Va.
Fall Foliage Festival 2007- 1st Place Photography - Waynesboro, Va.
Lazy Daze Arts Festival 2007 - Jerry Miller Award - Cary, NC.
Arts on the Square 2007 - Honorable Mention - Roanoke, Va.
Allentown Arts Festival 2006 - 1st Place Photography-Merit - Buffalo, NY.
Art on the Square 2006 - 1st Place Photography - Merit Award - Roanoke, Va.
Lynchburg Art Festival 2006 - 1st Community Bank Award - Lynchburg, Va.
Art on the Square 2005 1st Place Fine Art - Williamsburg, Va.
An Art Affair 2005 - Judges Choice - Richmond, Va.
Arts on the Lawn 2004 2nd Place Photography - Richmond, Va.
Fall Foliage Festival 2004 1st Place Photography - Waynesboro, Va.
Art on the Square 2004 1st Place Photography - Merit Award - Roanoke, Va.
Art on the Lawn 2003 1st Place Photography - Richmond, Va.
Art on the Lawn 2002 1st Place photography - Richmond, Va.
M.A.A. Suntrust Juried Show 2001 3rd Place Fine Art - Richmond, Va.
Fall Foliage Festival 2001 2nd Place Photography - Waynesboro, Va