Like it or not, as human beings, we are so much influenced by those with whom we live, usually our parents and then extended family through marriage or other associations. So, it is with Denise Shelby Isseks, whose business card reads, “works in visual and edible art.”

The daughter of an army photographer who brought his Japanese bride home to Brooklyn, Denise experienced a multi-cultural childhood that has kept her always open to new ideas. She received her first camera as a gift for her twelfth birthday, an Agfa 35 mm, and she was definitely hooked. Denise came with her family eventually to Orange County where she worked, owned her own business for a while, and married a creative, innovative teacher.

She enrolled at and graduated from Orange County Community College where among the many courses she took was photography which gave her the opportunity of working in a darkroom. “By working with film manually I began to look at everything in a different way.” She learned how, “the light, the shadows and shading all affect the continuity of the pictures.”

Her mother-in-law pushed her to continue her studies and she did so at SUNY New Paltz where she obtained a BS in Visual Arts with a major in Photography and minor in Art History. Her senior project involved organizing an art show at which she exhibited gel transfers on tiles, a doubly creative presentation.

This large piece along with many new works will be displayed in the Mindy Ross Gallery May 12 through July 1. Her solo show entitled Nothing Negative ~ Digital Photography focuses on her favorite subjects -- urban and natural landscapes. Taken from the viewpoints of skyscrapers or streams while kayaking or even in her backyard, the works demonstrate her consideration of angle, light, shadows and shading, while  framing the shot.

The Mindy Ross Gallery is located in Kaplan Hall at 73 First St., Newburgh.

Classical guitarist Joy Zelada will play at the Reception for the show on Sunday, June 1 from 2:30 to 4:30pm.

Come meet the Denise Shelby Isseks and find out what new ideas she may be trying in photography or food. You won’t be disappointed.

The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday - 8am to 8pm and Friday - 8am to 6pm through June 13, and Monday through Thursday - 8am to 6pm June 16 - July 1. The gallery is closed Memorial Day Weekend.

Questions may be directed to Cultural Affairs at cultural@sunyorange.edu               

Artworks:  The Great Pyramid of Giza, Radio Hotel - NYC, Floating Teapots