Meet the Artist event features local photographer Mark Gillard at Gardnerville's DST Coffee
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Sun, 01/29/2023 - 5:34pm
Event Date:
Repeats every week on February every Saturday until Sat Feb 18 2023 .
February 4, 2023 - 3:30pm
Event Date:
February 11, 2023 - 3:30pm
Event Date:
February 18, 2023 - 3:30pm I have challenges. Everyone does. Over the years, I’ve developed a tool kit that helps me get through times that feel overwhelming. It’s well stocked. There are tools that worked last year that don’t this; that helped last month that don’t ease today’s stress.
Photography has always been something that inspires me to focus on the world of beauty rather than the day’s difficulties.
In my early 30’s, I lost a lot of people I loved. I needed to find things that gave me hope when hope felt so distant. One of the things I found is to notice the little things in life that make me smile and lift my spirits. My Dad always said, “When you’re going through a hard time, scratch your dog behind the ears.” It works. To this day, seeing a dog at play brings a smile to my face.
Exercise is supposed to help but it’s boring for me. Taking an hour long walk a day has been said to help. For me, it’s like watering hard dirt. What does help is working in my garden. A garden that started off small five years ago is huge today. Every year, I’ve taken on increasingly larger and more physically challenging projects.
These days, I’m hauling large wheelbarrow loads of rocks from one end of our large yard to another. Bag upon bag of soil. Digging out beds. I am in better shape than I was 15 years ago. Anyone who gardens in our area knows that digging down is a challenge – you’ll inevitably be slowed by stone after stone. I just keep at it. In all kinds of weather. I love capturing images of the bounty that my garden brings.
“Invest in joy” is one of my maxims. So, I feed the birds and watch them. I’ve planted two meadow areas in my backyard. Wild finches love wildflowers. They’re a kick to watch.
Driving around and enjoying the natural beauty of Northern Nevada is uplifting and gets me out of myself. Years ago, I found what’s become a favorite place: the West Fork of the Carson River as it winds through Mad Canyon near Markleeville. The sound of the river splashing over huge boulders; the smell of the willows at river’s edge; the magic of the changing seasons. I can spend hours out there. Of course, that’s where some of my photography is done.
I travel around the Carson Valley & throughout Northern Nevada. Inevitably, I see things that bring joy and foster peace. We’re so fortunate here. We’re surrounded by nature that is awe inspiring. Beautiful cities and towns heaped with history – Genoa, Virginia City, Gardnerville, Minden, Carson City.
For many years, I worked with the latest advances in cameras. Now, I use my phone. I’m no Ansel Adams. I photograph what I love. My phone allows me to get into places that my cameras, tripods and camera bags prohibited me from reaching.
I enjoy sharing those moments and places with folks. I prefer the weather worn to the slick and new; rust to newly painted and, of course, cows. They make me laugh.
It’s my hope that my photographs bring a smile to you or just warm a corner of your home. Looking forward to meeting you. Mark
