The Photographic Art of Clyde Butcher

CLYDE BUTCHER Clyde Butcher's photographs explore his personal relationship with the environment.  For more than 40 years, he has been preserving on black and white film the untouched areas of the landscape. Artist Hall of Fame - State of Florida Ansel Adams Conservation Award - Sierra Club Florida House Distinguished Artist Award - Washington, DC Lifetime Achievement Award -N. American Nature Photography  Humanitarian of the Year - International University    Heartland Community Service Award - State of Florida "Like the work of Ansel Adams, Clyde Butcher's remarkable photographs gives us an access to nature we rarely see or experience.  They not only reveal the intimate and majestic beauty of the Everglades - and the need to save the fragile environment - they also remind us of the abiding kinship we mortals share when we work together to preserve these magnificent places.  Butcher's art is a national treasure."     Ken Burns, Emmy-winning filmmaker

Artist Statement
"Wilderness, to me, is a spiritual necessity. When my son was killed by a drunk driver it was to the wilderness that I fled in hopes of regaining my serenity and equilibrium. The mysterious spiritual experience of being close to nature helped restore my soul. It was during that time, I discovered the intimate beauty of the environment.
My experience reinforced my sense of dedication to use my art form of photography as an inspiration for others to work together to save nature's places of spiritual sanctuary for future generations."

Clyde's BIO click on  link beow
 http://clydebutcher.com/journal.cfm?holdtype=155

RETROSPECTIVE

Becoming a professional artist takes talent and perseverance, even more so when the field is photography. During the early years of Clyde's photographic career, the medium of photography wasn't considered art. At its highest praise, it was considered a craft. When Clyde chose the art of photography as the path for his life, he unwittingly chose one of the most difficult art forms in which to succeed. This exhibit traces the path from his early days as an architectural model photographer, the transition into the field of landscape photography, and his struggle to keep the focus of his vision on the art of photography, while still trying to support a family being an artist.