Show Buddy Smith and his abstract photos 3 natural vistas Smith’s work focuses on abstract patterns and color feat he finds on walls rastedra trucks r and well whatever catches his eye For the viewer feese patterns can become suggested landscapes and like a therapy patient looking at a shrink’s inkblots patrons can dis“I’m a botanist” he cern imaginary realms says laughing “I ain’t and creatures within fee be making money going this” images doing Afi of the photos are Despite his protests wife coy sugges- his titled exhibit an of though for what a viewer abstract dons photogunique such aa discover is hangmight currently raphy “Boston Marathon” “Old ing at the Caffe ibis The Millville Hag” “On fee Shores of Lake Bonneville” or botanist who is not an "Driver Wanted” But artist was cajoled by Smith hopes everyone local gallery owner Sue will see “what they want Fhhriman into putting ' to see” the exhibit up during last He attributes hisability month’s GaUeiyWalk He figured he could do to find feese images in the show as a everyday items mat most for Four Paws animal of us would never notice as an outgrowth of his rescue career as a botanist He “Sue Fuhriman she’s the instigator who got ' "Maybe I’ll continue doing this came to Logan in 1973 to me into this” Smith study plant sciences and but who knows? i’ll probably said “If she hadn’t this biology The photography came wife the territory stuff would have never work a continue my "In 1976 in my profeabeen shown I would have just given them as sor Richard Shaw sold — Buddy Smith me his Zdss camera” presents That’s what I who a is not an artist Smith said “My first job I never botanist do really usually — " 1— it to was wife photography was getting thought BLM down in the the point where I was fee for taking plant photos Arizona Strip district So that’s when I first got going to do anything with them” But don’t let Smith’s into taking pictures” facade e At first it was just part of thejob thatgrcw foot you The exhibit is the culmination of a of art appreciation beginning with his childinto a hobby and then ah exhibit hood in CrystalLake III just outside of “Back then I never thought too much about it” he said “I’m always taking pictures for my v Chicago The photos hanging at the Ibis Smith’s fascination with abstract painting work which requires a lot of documentation said he’s been influenced heavily by the abstract When you are ooing rare plant inventories you v masters — Mark Rothko Jackson Pollack and of are taking photos of the habitat” that the found Smith course the instigator PaMo Picasso ' of many Alongthe way “My family gave me an appreciation of art at V' same skills necessary for botany also applied to an early age” he said "But I remember my first seeking out abstract photographs school field trip to the Chicago Art Institute I “Botany is a science but you can also look at jt fell in love wife Picasso’s blue period especially as ah art” he explained “You are always louring his’Old Guitar Player’ Every tune I go see relafor color and patterns just as an artist would look for patterns color and dues You see all feat ' tives in Chicago 1 walkdowrifirst thing to go see that painting” m'y just looking at plants You learn to see things in The images in the exhibit are a departure from another way” the usual landscape and scenic photography feat Although his skills were honied traipsing around fee natural world most often Smith finds pervsaks regional galleries Instead of sweeping If you ask : Buddy Smith what he does for a living he won’t tell you that he’s an £ artist 13 fund-rais- paint-splatter- ed - er as just botanist"' — his “subjects” in manmade or man-- - “aww-shuck- s" life-tim- i photo entitled "Boston Marathon” was taken behind a local paint store in an area where fee workers discharge their paint sprayers Over the years fee paint has built up and created a : tyrlmicnlqf ptwpnp that Sipilh railU “fee skulL” Bytttdmng his camera on" different portions of “fee skull” Smith discovered a rich landscape: He has also found inspiration in tracks on rusted-o“These are always distract dungs V but they have nice color” he said times been painied multiple "They’ve apd feey weafeer The trades them-selves are pieces of artand each vehicle you go to is different” Smith says he isn’t always sure botanist” howhisphotos Agoing to turnout s : ut - y:- - but he’s become adept at finding the sources ctf his inspiration “There are a lot of photos feat didr n!t crane out the way I thought they -were going to and some of feem surprise me”he said “But I don’t just take a bunch of pictures and then find immething I firtf find the image that L like or even just the color: Three is always something feat attracts me It’s a good feeling In fact it’s a rash it reafiy is After a good shot you think ’God thisis coot’” For a botanist who isn’t an artirt Smith sure seems enthused about exploring his artistic side which begs the question: what’s next? continue doing this but “Maybe who knows? he laughed “I’llproba- -' My just continue my work as a ' : : -- m : |