Collaboration by Alexander Clark & Gretchen Gales

Aura

Better Than Blair

Out of the Woods

Redrum

Shutter

I primarily shoot nature photography.  Like many, I find beauty in nature and try to capture the moments - and people -  I find beautiful. Most of my photoshoots with Gretchen are outside because her personality matches so well with nature. She is naturally (ha!) gorgeous, just like forests, flowers,  and rivers. Even in costume, I can still see her true personality shine through. She is comfortable being her wild and colorful self. The place where Gretchen and I did the photoshoot is the epitome of the beauty of nature: Maymont Park and Nature Center in Virginia. It is a well-preserved Gilded-Age estate paired with fitting sculptures and additions that do not interrupt, but partners with nature. I feel that Gretchen, no matter what she is wearing or doing, matches what I’ve always seen in the outdoors.

~ Alexander Clark

I've always been drawn to the Gothic theme in both literature and art. The theme of the initial photo shoot was definitely a quirky mix of a green Wednesday Addams meets Ms. Frizzle  (I was wearing kiwi-leggings and dark green lipstick). When editing photos, I tend to first play with the colors of a photograph. I look for possible stories or moods the colors reveal. If there's something promising with that, I try to pair it with another photo that matches that similar theme. Kind of like a "what lies underneath" kind of deal, if that makes sense. I did a presentation for a class in college about a certain form of education that stems from German mysticism (if I remember correctly - I can't seem to find the quote that supports that anymore). Anyhow, somewhere in my research I learned about people using faith and spirituality to unlock the world that exists out of our visual realm. As a religious and creative person, I was easily drawn to that. I like to do the same thing with my creative works.

~ Gretchen Gales

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Gretchen Gales is a freelance writer and visual artist, her work appearing or forthcoming in Ms., Bustle, The Establishment, White Stag, and more. She is the managing editor of Quail Bell Magazine. See more of her work at writinggales.wordpress.com.

Alexander Clark is a photographer and graphic designer who has work forthcoming in Bad Pony.