Bio:
Michele Burton is a Pacific Northwest native. Growing up in Seattle meant that the outdoors were an extension of the living room. Many happy hours were spent hiking, bicycling, camping and hanging out at the Ocean beaches. Add in a heavy dose of curiosity and it is no wonder that Michele's path led to photography.
Michele has worked in the photo industry for nearly 40 years. The past 2 decades have been spent as a freelance photographer and teacher. Michele spent 15 years teaching photography at Bellevue College and continues to tutor students one-on-one. In addition, she works as a commercial photographer, specializing in environmental issues. She has been Thurston County Stream Team's photographer since 2014.
In 2018, Michele's mosaic design honoring Olympia music legend Bert Wilson was installed on 5th Avenue in downtown Olympia. Two of her designs have been chosen for Olympia's Traffic Box Wrap program. And, a group of Michele's botanical images is part of Swedish Hospital's permanent collection.
Michele makes her home in Olympia
Artist Statement:
As a photographer of urban wildlife, I have the privilege of observing the daily lives of some of Olympia's most overlooked neighbors. There is a whole universe of activity that happens within the city limits that most of us don't see. Birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, fish all go about their existence in the shadow of the Capitol without many people noticing.
With my camera, I want to document and also to celebrate. It is also important to communicate and educate, bringing these creatures out into the light so others may understand the role of nature within our community.
I spend many hours standing, observing and waiting for a momentary burst of activity. For it is activity that my audience seems to most readily connect with my subject.
Most of my work is traditional digital photography. I try for minimal editing with an emphasis on impact. A small portion of my work is creative layering and kaleidoscoping using Adobe Photoshop.
A few artists who have impacted my work. The composer Aaron Copland, whose reinterpretation of traditional music reaches deep inside and speaks to the soul of so many. The portrait photographer Arnold Newman, whose environmental portraits set the standard for storytelling with nuance. The photographer Robert Frank, whose book The Americans turned the whole world of photography upside down. The photographer Berenice Abbott, who became a guiding photographer at a time when the field was dominated by men. Henri Matisse, whose cut-outs taught me that there are no limits where are is concerned.