Artists Statement
Kathleen Duxbury    * www.kathleenduxbury.com  * 201-652-2755

There is light outside our visible spectrum.   The “Invisible Light” Infrared (IR) falls below what we can see. Perhaps, more than realized, we sense this energy in the form of light because it is always moving.

My introduction to IR was with the use of film in the late,1980’s. I was intrigued with the IR spectrum and always kept a dedicated camera nearby with film in the frig, to protect it from the heat. For travel I would have three suitcases.  
Clothes, cameras and a cumbersome case of processing equipment.
  Shipping the film to my destination (because of its sensitivity to the airport X-Ray scanners) became a necessity. Processing the exposed film on the road was often tricky. Dealing with desert “poof dust” was a nightmare and developing in  dark, bone chilling utility rooms, when you are exhausted, is not a good thing.  Embracing digital has freed me of these dank rooms and the third suitcase. It also allows me to explore IR in shadow areas, not just in the full sun, rendering more intriguing results.

Researching the history of each location gives me insight into the significance and character of the structures and landscapes I encounter.
The recent images from Saint Augustine, Florida, brought back early school lessons of the oldest city in North America. The “City Gates” date to the 1730’s. Just imagine the historical events involving this portal. No other American city has experienced the number of desperate conflicts that surrounded its walls. Yet in 2008 you pass through to a pedestrian mall with gift shops and Ghost Tours.
“Natures Kidneys” is an aerial view of the wetlands surrounding Jacksonville, Florida.   Wetlands filter pollutants from the water much like our kidneys filter pollutants from the bloodstream. IR was able to cut through the haze and clearly demonstrate how these wetlands mimic the design and function of the kidney and hopefully help us to understand that this filtering of pollutants is a function is so vital to our environment.
This IR journey is close to 20 years young.      My plan: To continue photographing what I love: Children’s’ Portraiture, Events and taking the IR Projects to a new level.

Using a Vintage Bluebird Wanderlodge bus and traveling North America. Documentation of the treks, via a blog (www.lightravelsblog.com) has already begun.

 I invite you to follow, by visiting www.kathleenduxbury.com or the blog, as I continue  .………… “Seeking the Invisible Light".