Two nature artists featured at The David Strawn Art Gallery
By Kelly M. Gross, Director, The David Strawn Art Gallery
The Art Association of Jacksonville is pleased to present Doug Rahn and Greg Lepper, landscape photographers, to The David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W College Ave., Jacksonville, January 13-28.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, January 13 from 6-8 p.m. with “Gallery Talk” by each artist at 6:30 p.m. The opening reception and gallery hours are free and open to the public.
Greg Lepper is an avid wildlife and landscape photographer, usually rising before dawn to capture his subjects during the “golden hour” of best light. He and his wife, Diane, have traveled the United States and internationally seeking photography opportunities in nature.
Whether it’s on an African safari, the mix of spewing volcanoes and remote landscapes of Iceland or the countless scenes of nature here in the U.S., he is always seeking the best mix of subject and light.
Greg Lepper grew up on a farm in northeast Morgan County. His many hours hunting and fishing and traveling with family to many national parks piqued his interest in all things wild.
His photography started while studying ag journalism at the University of Illinois, where he took and later helped teach a journalism photography class. He gained further knowledge while working with professional photographers with various national agriculture magazines. Returning to operate the family farm, his love of the outdoors grew.
With the advent of digital cameras Lepper found a serious hobby which has lasted into retirement. He met Doug Rahn during a business meeting and found out they shared similar photography interests. They and their wives often travel and photograph together.
Modern equipment helps capture truly unique moments in the wild, and the workflow of fine-tuning those images to reflect what those moments were like is a challenge itself. Then choosing which medium is best to print and share those photographs is like putting the icing on the cake according to Lepper.
His goal is to have viewers look at his photos and feel as if they were there during those magical moments.
Doug Rahn is an enthusiastic wildlife, landscape, and macro photographer. He began taking pictures with his Nikon as a young teenager and has been devoted to the medium for the last 15 years. His passion and approach to photography is an extension of his love for all things outdoors. He and his wife, Mickie, enjoy traveling to remote destinations around the world to photograph new locations and wildlife. Together, they have visited all the national parks save one (Samoa), and have tried to experience the unique aspects of every park through photography. Birding is a natural fit to his love of photography and has become a key component of his creative pursuits.
Doug Rahn’s photographic technique has benefited greatly from skilled photography friends and artists. They have challenged and inspired his photography journey. More importantly, his wife has been a huge influence on his work through the hundreds of hiking miles, kayaking, birding excursions, backpacking and traveling to photographic destinations.
Capturing the unique situations, beauty or wildlife encounters in nature is a thrilling experience. Sometimes, one just gets lucky. Other times, it takes perseverance and patience to find what you are trying to photograph. Converting those images into your creative vision is a rewarding artistic process. Rahn hopes his photographs help one to see an animal or place a little differently — and perhaps, even pique one’s desire to get out there and explore what nature has to offer.
The David Strawn Art Gallery hours January 14-28 are Sundays from 1-3 p.m. and Tuesday-Saturday from 4-6 p.m.
