This is the gallery for BVAA member Joe Altruda.
Artist’s Statement
Introduced to 35mm photography when my children were born by shooting them almost daily, I soon learned the science of photography and later the art of it. Continuing to learn and develop my hobby, I feel that the technology of our DSLR’s allows us far more creative range than ever.
Born and educated in Providence, earned an MBA at Providence College, and climbed the corporate ladder with medium sized manufacturing companies in RI, I relocated a few miles north on Route 146 in Northbridge and chose a self employment opportunity in real estate brokerage which I currently maintain.
Realizing that the Blackstone Valley provides a wonderful palette for landscape photographers, I gradually developed a portfolio of scenic photographs of which I am proud and continually augment. By composing images with specific points of interest, I realized quickly that the Blackstone Valley is a treasure trove of opportunity for landscape photographers. Consisting of several small towns, communities, and villages, each has its own identity, personality, and charm. The area is situated only a few miles from New England’s largest cities, Providence and Worcester, and within an hour of Boston. However, many images may transport you to a quieter, more peaceful and tranquil time and place.
Verdant fields, rolling hills, living lakes and ponds populate the region. A ride, walk, or bicycle tour through any town will captivate you with images of breathtaking landscapes, stunning and picturesque New England vistas, and rock formations from glacial melts that occurred many thousands of years ago. A journey through any of the Blackstone Valley towns will reveal a lavishness of natural wooded areas left undisturbed that are dotted with many scenic lakes, streams and ponds. Living harmoniously is an abundance of wildlife that enjoys the richness that their environs offer.
From country creameries offering wonderful delectables to local farm stands selling produce harvested with their own hands to Purgatory Chasm, a unique natural ¼ mile landmark believed to have its origins at the end of the Ice Age, the Blackstone Valley is alive and well in its 11 towns.
My presentation of images is an attempt to capture the beauty of this area. Taking a moment to view them may introduce you to different spaces within our world – vast and unending. In the presence of nature, free of human-made obstructions, the landscapes attempt to document the spaces and well as convey an appreciation for the scenery and its natural beauty.