David Rackley

After spending his early years in Alaska where he was inspired by the majestic beauty of that state, David Rackley graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in anthropology. It was there that he was first introduced to the works of photographers such as Edward Weston and Minor White, which initiated a lifelong interest in black and white photography. Rackley began to photograph , using medium and large format (4x5) cameras, in the Southwest, Alaska, Mexico, Guatemala, South America, and Thailand. He has lived and worked in Arkansas and Louisiana, and has recently earned a Masters degree from the University of South Carolina, where he continues to work in his unique style.

Rackley’s art continues to be based in black and white photography, but in recent years has been characterized by the application of photo-oils to the black and white photograph to create what he describes as a mixed media image. He begins his process by using a large format film camera and then produces a high quality black and white print in the darkroom. The finished photograph is then painted with oils. There are no computers or digital equipment used in the process. Each piece is individually made and unique, and reflects a realistic photographic interpretation combined with an expressive painting technique.