Member Since April 17th, 2009
Uplifting Fine Art Photography
I got my start in film photography as a boy in Bratislava, Slovakia, and resisted digital until the technology in image capture and print exceeded that of film. I am inspired by many of the great current and late photographers and artists including Elliot Porter whose intimate landscapes continue to guide my eye to the natural wonders around us. Georgia O’Keefe’s abstract floral paintings were what led me to look inside the private chambers of flowers and reveal a world often overlooked from afar.
I have been experimenting with abstract, “O’Keefesque”, floral photography for over 10 years. This kind of photography is most representative of my personal style, one which causes the viewer to see an abstract composition of color, shape and lines and then take a second look to discover the natural subject within the image. I enjoy the challenge of pushing one to wonder about the image or just simply enjoy it’s abstractness. My personal style is constantly evolving as I challenge my eye to view the natural beauty in our world from new perspectives.
The sometimes subtle, sometimes extreme interplay between light and shadow, the fantastic array of colors, textures, line and form all combine to inspire and excite my senses and my soul. I love being in nature, and am grateful to be able to capture and share a few of the exquisite and breathtaking moments I have experienced on my journey.
Rasto is co-owner of fotoGR.com along with his partner Glenda Kapsalis. "At fotoGR.com we treasure the seldom-observed private moment, the vision not ordinarily noticed, the profound gifts of nature. We choose to focus on the universal, what we have in common, what unites us, what makes us sensitive and responsive to the world around us, what gives us hope."
NOTE: All images are available in various sizes either in color or black and white, paper or canvas. All are printed on an Epson 7900 with the latest HDR pigment inks for archivability.
Permanent Collections:
Embassy of the Slovak Republic, Washington, D.C
Museo de Arte de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
Gallery Café Bonaparte, Voyeuristique, Georgetown, MD, May-June, 2005
Galeria Michalsky Dvor, Voyeuristique, Bratislava, Slovakia, April-May, 2005
Tek de Monterrey, Voyeurismo, Querétaro, Mexico, February 9-23, 2005
Gallery Art Factory, Prague, Czech Republic, Voyeuristique, with G. Kapsalis Sept.-Oct. 2004.
Embassy of the Slovak Republic, Washington, D.C., Reflections, October-November 2003.
Museo de Arte de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico, Flora Intima, with G. Kapsalis, March 20-May 3, 2003
Centro Cultural el Nigromante, Bellas Artes, San Miguel d’Allende, Mexico, Flora Intima, with G. Kapsalis, January 30-March 2, 2003
Noyes Street Café/Gallery, Chicago, IL 2002