'Falling Up Into the Promise of Sky' Taken in Berkeley, CA. I got a tip about this amazing warehouse full of graffiti, sanctioned by the owner. Inside was amazing. I almost didn't take this shot. The foreground is too dark, I don't like taking things as angles, it dilutes the power. But this shot kept pulling at me. It was scary and mysterious and calling to me. Because of the darkness, because of the way the angles make me feel unbalanced, that highlights the power of the scene. The graffiti, the color, how the writing is sideways on the wall, writing on the ceiling. Darkness and color, and creativity. It is secret, hidden, brutal. An imperfectly perfect chaos of creativity. Anarchy in writing and color. It makes me feel like Alice in Wonderland falling up into a warehouse corner, into abandoned, graffitied, and beautifully destroyed space.

'Peeping Lake Merritt' Taken In Oakland, CA. If you live in the East Bay you know Lake Merritt. It's highly photographed. I love to walk around it, especially after a meal at a nearby restaurant. I used to take my son here to feed the pigeons and play in the playground. I saw the totem pole being made. Of course Ive eaten at the restaurant there on special occasions. And it became famous for a racially charged BBQ (search BBQ Becky). But this view felt naughty, like I was spying on someone. Like I was seeing someone in a way I wasn't supposed to, without them knowing. But also like I was given a special privilege. Now I have seen the lake in a way most haven't. There's something poignant about standing in an abandoned warehouse, surrounded by decay, and looking through a tear in a blind, to see beautiful Lake Merritt.

'Side by Side the Boat Goes Where?' This mesmerizing dyptich artwork consists of two matching parts, each capable of standing alone as captivating pieces, but truly coming alive when united. Together they portray a striking contrast of colors - a vibrant, bright red capturing attention, while a burnt-out, melancholic blue adds depth and emotion to the view. In the center, a bridge gracefully connects the two frames, creating a seamless flow between the two parts. The bridge symbolizes a connection between worlds, inviting contemplation on the nature of transitions and the passage of time. Within the frames, a boat can be seen. This imagery raises thought-provoking questions: Should we follow the boat's journey into the unknown? The desire for adventures and journeys into the big wide world is palpable, reminding viewers of their own past dreams and yearnings. The location of this artwork is set in Richmond, CA, a favorite shooting spot for the artist.

'A Window to Windows' A vivid picture of contrasting emotions and perceptions. I love the angles. Taken in West Oakland. □Well I love the sound when I smash the glass□ -Social Distortion. The regularly spaced windows give it an institutional serious feel, broken up with the lyrical graffiti. So many windows, what went on here? The brown ochre reminds me of old photos, the wild west, sleepy towns, slow times. Then the smash of white wakes me up with an exciting shock. It all contributes to a mysterious, captivating dynamic scene.It makes me curious about what went on here back in the day. The ochre color of the window reminds me of old photos and the wild west, historic, adventurous, and full of ghosts. The shocking white contrasts with this and snaps me into the present, creating a sense of awakening and exhilaration. The pitch-black interior contrasts with the light emanating from the windows, creating a sense of mystery. I cant see, and the window draws me in and out, waking me up into the present, and creating a sense of intrigue. There's a hint of rebellion in the smashing glass that heightens the potential consequences of getting caught.

'Looking In At Playful Chaos - Richmond' Im standing outside a pretty plain looking building, and here's what I see! The geode inside. That part is the funnest, happening on all the color and creativity. Im not sure about this one tho. Should I keep it? I like how the rusty grid gives structure to the image. It symbolizes order that still functions, but with no purpose, or faded purpose, lost purpose. Then just inside bursts of color creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. Its playful and loose. Representing spontaneity and unexpected beauty within staid organization. But then you go even deeper, and it becomes dark and mysterious, possibly dangerous, maybe risky to go further. The whole scene is a play on order and chaos, fun and danger, light and dark. Overall, it paints a complex picture of a location that holds contradictory emotions – darkness and danger mixed with colorful spontaneity and blinding illumination. It's an intriguing blend of elements.

'Rustic Elegy: A Glimpse through Time' In the heart of the rugged terrain of the Lost Coast in Northern California, I stumbled upon a forgotten gem—a rusty truck with a wild untamed view. This chance encounter sparked a profound desire to capture the essence of this decaying relic against the backdrop of Mother Nature's timeless beauty. This old truck, weathered and worn, stood as a testament to the relentless march of time. Its once-vibrant coat of paint had surrendered to the elements, embracing the lustrous patina of rust. It sat there, broken down yet dignified, a sentinel of days gone by. There was a quiet majesty in its decay, a whispered story of a life now peacefully retired. I grappled with the challenge of doing justice to this noble rust-covered ride. I sought to frame it in a way that would convey not just its weathered exterior but the beautiful spirit that still dwelled within it. But it wasn't merely the truck itself that held my lens captive. Through its missing windows, the waves rolled in and out from the shore. Here, the forces of nature had etched their own story—a tale of relentless waves crashing against moss covered cliffs, of wind-swept meadows growing wild with untamed grace, and quietly rolling dunes. The juxtaposition of the rusty truck and the untouched coast beyond its window symbolized the full cycle of life. It was a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of all things, a reflection on the inevitability of change and decay, and the enduring beauty that emerges in the passage of these natural forces.

'The Boat at Alcatraz' This photograph paints a vivid picture on the scene of Alcatraz Island. The weathered, ochre-colored wall displays the scars of age and deterioration. This wall, like a weathered tapestry, tells stories of a bygone era. It serves as a portal to the past, and the juxtaposition of the historic prison and the boat creates a sense of both history and the present coming together, and adds an element of authenticity. The boat passing through the diamond-shaped hole in the wall creates an element of serendipity and magic in the composition. The boat becomes a symbol of movement and change, contrasting against the stationary, crumbling backdrop of Alcatraz. Its presence injects life into the stagnant air, momentarily breaking the silence that envelops the island. It's as if the past and the present converge for a fleeting moment. The fact that I managed to capture this scene just as the boat reached the middle of the frame underscores the sense of time colliding, making the image even more captivating. It's a beautiful blend of history, decay, restoration, and the fluidity of time. This photograph serves as a testament to the power of observation and timing, immortalizing a fleeting encounter between the past and the present, the static and the dynamic, and the weathered and the pristine. Through this image, the viewer is invited to contemplate the cyclical nature of existence, where the old makes way for the new, and where moments of enchantment can be found in the most unexpected places.

'Urban Reverie: Post-Apocalyptic Beauty' This photo is from a secret warehouse in the SF Bay Area, discovered while exploring an abandoned building. This mesmerizing image beautifully juxtaposes urban decay with vibrant life and growth. The window's frame focuses the viewer's attention on the vivid greens of the grass, which hold equal importance alongside the striking reds used by an anonymous graffiti artist. Artistry and nature meld in a dance of colors and textures. The energy of the image is the window, a portal through which the observer is invited to witness a profound juxtaposition of elements. Nature, vibrant green grass, gracefully asserts itself. This vibrant greenery stands in stark contrast to the rich, mysterious red hues painted by an unknown artist. The interplay of these colors creates a visual symphony that speaks to the resilience of life even in the face of decay. The photograph captures not only the physical landscape but also the photographer's deep-seated affection for the post-apocalyptic genre. The allure of a world transformed, where remnants of human creativity and nature coexist in harmony, is beautifully encapsulated in this evocative composition. Through the lens of the photographer's camera, the image becomes a testament to the enduring power of art, the tenacity of nature, and the boundless imagination of those who find beauty in unexpected places.

'Graffiti to the Bay - Albany' is a captivating urban scene where the vibrant colors of street art come alive amidst the drizzling rain. The graffiti, a kaleidoscope of hues, adorns the rough made and decaying walls with its bold strokes and intricate designs. From neon blues to fiery reds, the rain enhances the intensity of the pigments, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. The wet surfaces glisten, giving the impression that the artwork is coming alive under the soft touch of the rain. In stark contrast to the lively graffiti, the bay beyond takes on a muted, shimmery grey tone. The rain imparts a misty veil to the distant landscape, blurring the outlines of the distant shore. The bay becomes a tranquil, reflective surface, adding an ethereal quality to the entire tableau. The juxtaposition of the vibrant, rain-soaked graffiti against the subdued, shimmery grey of the bay creates a visual harmony that encapsulates the essence of the Albany Bulb's urban charm. The scene is not just an interplay of colors but also a reflection of the dynamic relationship between the urban expression and the serene, natural backdrop. It's a moment frozen in time, where the creativity of the streets meets the quiet beauty of the bay under the gentle embrace of drizzling rain.

'The Other Side of the Tracks' presents a striking juxtaposition of urban decay, man made structures, and natural beauty. At the forefront, a weathered brick wall dominates the scene, its surface adorned with scratches of graffiti, each stroke telling a story of the passage of time. Within the rough-hewn frame of decaying wood, a window offers a glimpse into another realm. Through the window, a stark contrast unfolds. Beyond the confines of the graffiti-laden wall, a chain-link fence stretches out, marking the boundary between us and the tracks, and the untamed wilderness beyond. Train tracks cut through the earth, separating us, a symbol of both progress and nostalgia. Ascending from the horizon, a hill rises, cloaked in burnt browns that mimic the rough passage of time on the wall. And in between, water flows, life amidst the chaos of urban existence. The image encapsulates the duality of urban life, where beauty and decay coexist in a delicate balance, inviting viewers to ponder the complexities of the world outside their own windows.

Sutro Baths Portal

Sutro Baths Freshness

The View to the Sea

Beautiful Abandoned Colors

'Walk on the Wild Side' In the foreground , a construction barrier appears as a man-made obstacle that hints at human intervention in this otherwise pristine environment, adding a layer of intrigue to the image. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between development and preservation of the natural world. Beyond the construction barrier, the focus of the photograph is a large rock formation jutting out of the ocean. The rock appears weathered and rugged, bearing the marks of countless years of exposure to the elements. Its imposing presence evokes a sense of awe and wonder. But what makes this photograph truly remarkable is the people who can be seen walking on the rocky outcrop. Their tiny figures provide a sense of scale, emphasizing the sheer size and grandeur of the natural feature. It also reminds us of our innate desire to explore and connect with the wild side of nature. The ocean, visible in the background, is dynamic. It reminds us of the resilience of the natural world. This juxtaposition of the tranquil human figures on the rugged rock and the dynamic forces of the ocean adds depth and contrast to the photograph. "Walk On The Wild Side" is not just a visually stunning image but also a thought-provoking one, prompting viewers to reflect on the relationship between human development and the unspoiled beauty of nature. It encapsulates the adventurous spirit of exploration and the profound connection between people and the untamed wild, inviting viewers to contemplate their place within the natural world and the delicate balance between progress and preservation.

Magic Door - Albany

The Dock

So Far Away - Richmond

Blue