When my last of 4 children left home for college, I had this epic idea of taking meandering solo road trips with my cameras, sleeping at rest stops in my car, eating at local diners, and photographing whatever happened to be on the road. The intended purpose of the trips was multifold: feelings of guilt and regret are a major, sometimes crippling, facet of my psychology and this time alone would be a step in moving away from that negativity. I also wanted to grandly embrace my entrance into middle age and have time to consider the future.
Ultimately, the trips did not go as planned. Instead of directionless driving, I always had a location to go to, a timeline to meet, and was only occasionally alone. Photographs were taken at stops, from the passenger seat (or sun roof), and at the destination locations. While much of the original concept remains, this altered version of journeys has been conceptually incorporated into my vision of this project as one of personal reflection, celebration, mending, and finding significance in imperfection.
The photographs are taken on film, often old and fogged, and printed in the darkroom. Physical flaws on the prints (dust, light leaks, stains, etc.) are gilded, inspired by the art of kintsugi in which broken ceramics are repaired with gold. Kintsugi philosophy recognizes brokenness as an opportunity for restoration resulting in greater strength and beauty.
