Shane Brown: Photographs of the Great Plains

 Born in Tulsa, Shane Brown spent his childhood in rural areas throughout Oklahoma. After graduating from Skiatook High School in 1993, Brown joined the United States Air Force where his travels to Asia and the western part of the United States played a role in the evolution of his work. After his stint in the service, Brown received his Bachelors degree in Creative Writing from Oklahoma State University. In the fall of 2003 Brown received a Lew Wentz Undergraduate Research Grant to facilitate his documentation of the cultural landscape of Oklahoma. Great Plains Schema is a continuation of this project.

Brown has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Oklahoma, and was the 2004 September/October featured artist in Oklahoma Today Magazine and just finished an exhibition at the Oklahoma State Capital. He is represented by Joseph Gierek Fine Art in Tulsa, and JRB Art Gallery in Oklahoma City. Brown is currently working towards his Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Oklahoma. See more of his artwork at: www.shanebrownphotographic.com

Carl Shortt: Wood Turned Christmas Ornaments and Vessels

 “I have been attracted to wood and the process of making things with it for as long as I can remember. As a child, I used leftover lumber to make toy airplanes and boats, stick horses and scooters. Now I use wood to make decorative and functional lathe-turned vessels. Many facets of my woodworking interest have changed over the years; however, two constants remain, the need to make things with my hands and the use of discarded wood.

My favorite element of the woodturning art form is the creativity centered around transforming trees otherwise destined for the landfill or the fireplace into something both useful and beautiful. The greatest satisfaction comes from sharing my creations with others.”

See more artworks and images of the process of turning a log into a bowl: www.carlshortt.com