James Stasiak

Statement

I am a visual artist. Every aspect of digital photography from capture to editing to reproduction is based on mathematical operations which determine how form, geometry and color interact. My work uses these interactions as creative tools to construct and evolve images to communicate my process and imagination. My photo editing software is the mathematical construct housing my artist's toolbox, color palette and canvas; my intuition and improvisational skills provide direction, and both respond well to happy surprises. After decades of using digital imaging systems and software, I continue to become more comfortable and adventurous with their interactions. The JMM Art Shows give me the perspective to appreciate the math behind the art.

Artworks

"Decisions" was developed by running an edge-finding function on an image of very large pixels from part of a digitally modified photo. It represents the decisions that an equation made to determine where an edge of a pixel appeared, and how strongly it would represent it, with a variable to determine how strictly the edges would be followed. What developed was this image (with a few more color interactions.) It also represents a very free-flowing decision tree which is not strictly bound by binary choices, much like how I see our consciousness working.

"The Strong Force" is part of a continuing series of images which depict this invisible force which binds the protons and neutrons of the atomic nucleus together. The color and structural manipulations of the original photos lent themselves to this interpretation. The continuing series develops the conceptual image of particles being drawn together and held by an encompassing force.