Bio:
Growing up on the coast of Texas much of my time was spent in and around the water. I had two and four-legged siblings, some small and some large. Water and animals have always been in my life which is probably why both have been prominent in my personal work.
As a kid I was into art and liked taking pictures of happenings and friends never putting much thought into it. When I started college, I knew I wanted to do something creative but wasn’t sure what. After a year of random classes, I decided to take an aptitude test. The results came back with photography as number one on the list of career choices. Then I began thinking about creating images.
Shelley has work in private, public and museum collections. She has received two Cultural Contracts from the City of Austin as well as a Partners in the Arts and Humanities award. She continues to create and exhibit work while sharing her love for photography through teaching. Shelley teaches many avenues of photography at a variety of schools in Austin and privately. Her work has been published nationally and internationally. She has served as the Director of the DarkRoom Co-op since 1994 and has been teaching swimming since high school.
Statement:
LamWood Ranch
In 1999 Shelley and her husband, Jason, decided to move to the country from the City of Austin, Texas and purchased 10 acres with a house, a barn and 2 ponds. Uniting their last names, Lambert and Wood, and efforts, they began a new life at LamWood Ranch (LWR). She returned to her upbringing working with a variety of animals including horses, sheep and pigs – raising one or two at a time. Jason also grew up with animals and wanted to pursue an interest in raising goats.
Simply put the photographs of LWR are about life with land, caring for animals and living in the country. An ongoing body of work, Shelley is the photographer and together she and Jason (who is instrumental in caring for the ranch) “create” the scene. Together they are always attacking the work of the day; a barn is falling down, new fencing, coyotes attacking the goats, shearing, and snakes. But when Shelley looks at these things, her muse appears. The animals, the surroundings, capturing the wonderful essence of day-to-day life that happens here. The muse is her human connection to the land and all the animals that have their own names and distinct faces.
“I want the images of LamWood Ranch to express an emotion, mood or perception that goes beyond the time-consuming responsibility of care taking, toward the enchanting existence of humans and animals living together. This is my muse” – Shelley Wood
Without a connection, the camera is only a tool. A capture to document. A still reality, until the photographer communicates further, expressing emotion. Shelley’s images create that connection, as she grew up with animals (on a smaller scale than LamWood Ranch) and has a strong respect and appreciation for all that goes into caring and producing products from the animals. Shelley also understands it is relationships, the personalities, and their stories.
