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“Classic
form with a cutting edge” is how Skip
Middleton’s work has been described. Strong
posing and lighting combine to show both the
physical and inner strengths of his subjects.
“Through
my work I strive to address some social issues
and show beauty and strength of form while
creating an image that delights the viewer while
making them think.”
Beginning
as a high school newspaper photographer, and
through subsequent exploration, Skip still works
refining his technique. Many of the WPA
photographers of the ‘30s, particularly Walker
Evans and Dorothea Lange, have an influence on
Middleton’s work in their use of light and
surface to tell a story. Another influence
is Edward Weston, both in his use of light and
imagery of the nude. The use of
photofloods in the studio to emulate the
lighting of the ‘30s and ‘40s contributes to
the classic look his images present.
In
the studio, Middleton likes to use simple props
and backgrounds to emphasize the play of light
and shadow on the female form. When
shooting outdoors, he often contrasts the
smoothness of female form against the textures
of man made and natural backgrounds.
Middleton
was approached in mid-2000 by Rotovision,
publishers of the Guides to Better Picture
Taking, for the use of his image “Sarah,”
which appeared in their 2001 publication, “Art
of Photographing the Nude.”
Each
image is hand printed by the photographer
himself and is limited to an edition of no more
than 10.
Awards
and Achievements
Published
in "The Art of Photographing the Nude"
Rotovision 2001
Escondido
Arts Association, 1st place photography,
March-1998
46th
International Exhibition of Photography, Del Mar,
Ca.1995
Juried
Shows
San
Diego Art Institute, Regional Exhibition,
October 2002.
Juror Michael Kirchman. Two images selected for
exhibition
San
Diego Art Institute, August 2002 Juror: Fillippo
Floridia
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, August 2002 "Local Color
2002"
Juror, Don Bacigalupi, PhD Director San Diego
Museum of Art
San
Diego Art Institute, July 2002 Juror: Michael
Wheeldon
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, July 2002 Dreams &
Fantasies" Juror, Ken Miracle
Co- Founder Flux Gallery San Diego.
San
Diego Art Institute, May 2002 Juror:
France-Marie Haeger
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, "Landscape". Juror
Gail Roberts February 2002
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, "Local Color IV".
Juror: Hugh Davies-Director of the Museum of
Contemporary Art, San Diego. September 2001
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, "Urban Landscape"
Escondido, CA. April 2000
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, "Art Riot" Juror:
Roy Johnson (Gallery Owner)
February 2000
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, "Summation"
Escondido, CA. October, 1999
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, "Through the lens of the
Camera” Juror: Susan Copeck (instructor) May
1999
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, “Bricolage” Escondido,
Ca. January 1999
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, “Summation” Escondido,
CA. December 1998
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, “Transportation”,
Escondido, CA. Sept 1999
Escondido
Municipal Gallery, “Local Color III”
Escondido, CA, August-1999
Robert
Wright Gallery, "Spring to Summer
Show" Escondido, CA. May- 1998
Group
Shows
"The
Magic & The Music" Theatrx, Escondido,
CA., November 1999
"Fractured
Fairy Tales" Theatrx, Escondido, CA. August
1999, Curated
by Heather Middleton
Visual
Arts Group Showing Emerald Plaza, San Diego May
2002
Visual
Arts Group Showing, Art Walk San Diego, April
2002
Visual
Artists Group Show, Archives Gallery, Escondido,
CA. June 1999
Visual
Artists Gallery Group Show, Poway Center for the
Performing
Arts, Poway, CA August 1999
“Contemporary
Visions” Tracey Renee Gallery, Escondido, CA
July 1999.
“Red
Hot Blues” Theatrx, Escondido, CA. July 1999
Curated by Heather Middleton
“Shades
of Gray” Theatrx, Escondido, CA. March 1999,
Curated by Skip &
Heather Middleton
Conspiring
Minds Show, Gallery 451, Escondido, CA.
January 1999
Photo
Factory Gallery, San Diego, CA March- July- 1998
Grand
Galleria, "About Faces", Escondido,
CA. March- 1998
Cafe
Artista, "Contemporary Artists Show",
Escondido, CA . Feb- 1998
Group Affiliations
Escondido Arts Partnership
VAG Visual Artists Group
Co founder Shades of Grey
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