WLM
| my Wyoming craving
spectrum, but how do you connect with the stark scientific realities of Wyoming’s topography to create your artwork? NW: You can’t explore Wyoming without noticing the wide range of geologic activity that created this place. Every mountain range has its own history and process of formation, as do the basins and high plains, the deserts and sand dunes. When I have time I read about how different parts of our state were formed. It just further adds to my appreciation of how insanely cool this state really is. For me all of this boils down to what looks the most interesting when coming up with compositions and what areas to explore. Leading lines, counterpoints, etc., it all contributes to how I compose my scenes, and they all have to deal with the geology of the land in relation to the foliage and other elements
involved. It goes back to the idea of organized chaos I guess. There are patterns everywhere, but how they formed was most likely a result of pure randomness. The way we interpret that art and organization is really a personal thing, whether it’s driven by spiritual or logical reasoning. No two people will see it the same exact way. WLM: I once heard a teenage resident say “Wyoming is so ugly.” I think of that often when people complain about the flat spots, what they call the ‘boring’ drive from Laramie to Rock Springs, and the wind. To me, it’s all part of one big creature…but there are many who just aren’t going to get it, or who get complacent. How would you argue that? NW: Wow, the Red Desert is one of the more interesting areas of Wyoming. Just go a few miles off of that interstate in any direction and you’ll see some of the most unique geology and desert landscape in North America, all of it containing a plethora of wildlife. We have the second largest migrating sand dune system in the world. How many people in Wyoming have even seen one mile of
it, or even know it exists? I did a gallery show last year at the Corridor Gallery in downtown Casper. The two guys that run it are really great about working with local artists. However, during the show I was amazed at how many people had no idea where any of the photos were taken. They could not associate with the images and it resulted in my not selling a lot of the prints. The owners were a bit surprised, but after thinking about it, I’m really not. Many of the viewers had never even been to the Tetons, nor did many seem to have the desire to go see that one-of-a-kind range. It’s about a four hour drive from Casper. If this is the general consensus of individuals in Wyoming, especially with teens and twenty somethings, this state is screwed. People from all over the world plan once in a lifetime trips to Wyoming -- think on that for a minute. Would you plan a once in a lifetime trip to Beijing to enjoy the city and smog? Most likely not. Those in power that take advantage of that lack of interest do not have the best interests of future generations’ ability to explore the untamed beauty of Wyoming in mind. Visit www.lightalivephotography.com to learn more about Nicolaus and his artwork, and to view his time lapse, Wyoming Wildscapes. W L M
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Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2013