Ken Ragsdale

Grain Elevator

20"x24" paper size, with print image size: 16"x20" signed by the artist- edition 1 of 5 From the series: "The Hundred Acre Wood" Printed on a heavyweight matte paper, this limited edition print is part of Ken Ragsdale's unique process of building models and sets to photogrpah. Each photograph is composed with paper components to depict a scene from the artist's memory. The pure white paper is transformed with folds and illuminated with colored lights to give a soft glow which is reminiscent of early morning light or the close of the day towards sunset. Two grain elevators...

30"x40" photograph of created landscape of paper. from the series: "The Hundred- Acre Wood" signed on reverse edition of 5. This photograph depicts the artist's vision of the American landscape, created in paper and then photographed to create this atmospheric image. The limited edition photograph captures a feel of Western United States farming, with a quality of light from the Hudson Valley. A union of artistic vision from West Coast to East Coast, Ken Ragsdale is a master of material construction, light and photographic composition. The installation landscape scene created by Ken Ragsdale exisits only to be photographed. With each scene, the artist meticulously cuts paper and folds each component to be captured by his lens. This photograph of cut paper constructions depicts a bus ride through a forest scene from the artists memory. The hues of ambient amber, green, red and blue are created through lighting the staged scene created in white paper Ken Ragsdale’s process begins with rough sketches of places and things from his past that are relevant to current themes he is considering. This series focuses on a time period of 1974-78, in the regions of Northern Idaho, to Eastern Oregon and the areas between. As his working drawings solidify the dimensions of the objects which represent his memories from that era, Ragsdale considers the landscape, terrain and weather, filtered through his personal memories and experiences. 

Once the composition and components are determined as to capture the aura of a memory, schematic drawings are documented and prepared for hand assembly. Laboriously the schematics are cut out, folded and tabbed to create their final 3-dimensional formats. As each object is placed and the structures oriented, Ragsdale modifies the scenes to perfectly frame each scenario for the final photograph. From simple sheets of white Bristol Vellum, the atmosphere and lighting brings each image to life and allows for a reminiscent view of a wistful past. Pacific Northwest native Kenneth Ragsdale’s work, derived from personal memories, involves a mixture of drawing, painting, sculpture, paper-craft, theatre...

Rebecca Skinner’s “Lunds Valley” is a 12 x 18 inch color photograph of grain elevators in North Dakota. The rustic structures rest in the beautiful landscape with colors of blue, red...

Wabaunsee County, KS (2014) Giclee Print on Coated Fiber Paper Edition of 25 + AP Image Size: 18 1/4" x h 8 1/4