Right after Christmas my wife Lucretia and I decided it was time to get out of town. Mostly because 2023 had been a year that often felt like trying to stay on a bucking bronco. With the sense of family, togetherness is high on our minds with Lucretia losing her mother in 2023 and in the wake of the loss of her brother and father just two years prior going to visit her uncle and aunt seemed fitting.  The other part was going to the beach.

We agreed that ending the year on the beach would be a fitting send-off to 2023. So we hopped in our car and drove following the Gulf Coast east of New Orleans. On our leisurely journey, we happened upon the charming and peaceful village of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. At a glance, we both knew this was the spot. After enjoying the shops and restaurants we decided to end the year at the beach. 

As I’m sure many of you might have experienced there is something hardwired in us humans about the ocean. The rhythmic sound of the tide rolling onto the shore was entrancing and welcomingly therapeutic. Watching the way the sand on the shore shifted and left shapes and lines hit me as a symbolic visual expression of time. Thus I found myself looking at and seeing patterns and forms as ancient as Earth herself. As a professional photographer, I’ve discovered that shooting photographs is good for my soul and keeps me grounded.

I must also admit to owning some influence to visiting the Walter Inglis Anderson Art Gallery.  I’d recommend visiting if you’re in the area. https://www.walterandersonmuseum.org/.  He was an artist who created with the view that nature holds much for us to understand and can expand our souls. In this, I must agree. So glad we let the year roll out like the ocean tide and 2024 roll upon us.