Let me introduce Mr Gordon Barns Aurora's new Citizen of the Year for 2010. Down to my core I really love portrait photography not just because of the actual picture taking but because of the human experience, the people you meet the things you learn I just find it an enlightening experience.
I photographed Gordon at his home in Aurora where he lives with his wife in one of Aurora's beautiful old century homes (you know I would immediately melt, LOL). The house was filled full of a life time of Gordon and his wife’s life and I really appreciated the time I had spent there with them. Gordon's wife collects and restores sewing machines and fabric remnants which she then donates to charities for women who are trying to get back on their feet. Gordon on the other hand is an environmentalist and was a teacher and Dean at Seneca Campus for many years. Now Gordon enjoys his time at Aurora's Arboretum. Gordon's garden was a huge oasis which one would never expect to be right behind Yonge St in Aurora. The garden is incredible, full of vegetables, older trees and pathways that lead to new places with in the garden. Truly a neat experience!
I am honoured that the town chose me for this commission and I am delighted that they chose one of the images I had taken during my time spent with Gordon, especially since I stepped outside the box on this day and gave the town something they did not expect. This is where the human experience comes in to play and the creative artist in me over rides reality sometimes. Leave it to another life lesson and I thank the town for going with my vision on this portrait.
As most know, I am in love with Black and White so I had to show one of the final images that way but the colour version you see here is the image that will reside in the town hall hopefully for generations to come. That is a very very neat thought!
