A Jewel by any other name is still precious

The world famous photographer Jewel Gwaltney had a showing today at the Inman Gallery. It was such a pleasure to see the world through the eyes of a world class artist is even for a brief moment in time. I am always amazed at how different the everyday world around us looks when viewed through a new perspective. Such simple things as rocks, doors, snow drifts, leaves and trees can be so beautiful, mysterious, or enchanting when captured through the lens of Jewel's camera.

But the real joy for me came from being a part of the creative process. I was able to stand with her and view the same object that she photographed, then I saw it transfomed in to an amazing framed work of art. Or to see a piece that has just come out of her darkroom, freshly printed and unmatted, which later shows up in a frame on display in a gallery full of people oohing and aahing. It is like watching a neighbor kid grow up into a caring adult. You are there to watch the whole process, but all you can say is I knew them when they were in diapers, now look at them.

A Jewel by any other name is still precious.