Maureen Shaughnessy

Utata Member

Bio

In my working hours I am a landscape designer. I have a background in science, fine arts and landscape architecture. Sometimes designing gardens is my play. Other play times are filled with making music, singing, writing, sketching, making mixed media sculptures, being outdoors, and of course, taking photographs.

In 2003, I knew very little about photography and had just received a digital camera as a gift from our five kids. I have learned photography by trial and error (I don't do manuals,) by observing the many excellent photograhers at Utata and Flickr ... and from kind folks who have shared their tips, advice and encouragement.

I take photos for different reasons: to record our lives, to document my landscape designs, to use in my artwork and for my own pleasure and joy. I use a Canon Powershot A70. Sometimes I use Photoshop for post-processing.

Testimonial

Maureen is the essence of generosity and creativity. Generosity, because of the way she reaches out to others with her encouragement and her love of beauty. Creativity, because of her astonishing ability to see into the heart of places and people and provide new perspectives altogether.

There is so much grace and power in Maureen’s work with image and the written word. She is able to shift fluidly from one medium to another, melding picture and word into an experience with high emotional impact. Her eloquence is unparalleled.

I have learned a great deal about expressing a sense of place from Maureen. From afar, I’ve watched her explore color, texture, line, and form -- from broad river vistas…to the tiniest leaf fluttering on a fall day. Her photography brings out the soul or the spirit of whatever her subject may be. Her art makes the ordinary extraordinary.

She is a teacher and friend whose wisdom I treasure.

Testimonial written by Bitterroot