Sam Blair, Zenscapes

December 9, 2023 – January 10, 2024
Artist Reception: December 9th, 4-7pm

LightBox Photographic Gallery
1045 Marine Drive
Astoria, OR 97103
503.468.0238
info@lightbox-photographic.com

LightBox Photographic Gallery opens “Zenscapes” a solo exhibit by Sam Blair, on Saturday, December 9th. Please join us for the opening Artist Reception from 4-7pm.

“The goal of Zen Buddhism, simply stated, is achieving and maintaining the highest mental state in life – equanimity. The road to that lofty ambition is living with simplicity, minimalism, and non-attachment to ego and materialism. It also means living with the awareness that all we really have in our lives is the present moment, referred to as “tada ima”, only now. When that mental state is achieved, it creates a feeling of oneness and connection with the universe, and is the well spring to the inherent joy, happiness, and inner peace within each and every one of us. I have attempted to reveal that mental state visually with this series called “Zenscapes”. My hope is that from your looking at the images I am able to share with you a bit of the peace and joy I felt while making them.” Sam Blair

Sam has a B.A. degree in English from the University of Denver, and a J.D. degree from Lewis and Clark College of Law. He was a civil litigator for 35 years, with offices in Oregon and Hawaii. He has taught as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Or. He is afflicted with wanderlust, and retired from practicing Law to pursue his passion of travel and fine art photography. As a self taught photographer, he has explored over 90 countries. His mission is to capture “the essence of things” in other cultures, beaches, and the fascinating homo sapien. He is a haiku poet. His poems have been published in multiple literary anthologies and journals. Sam is a longtime student of Zen Buddhism, and trained in the Japanese martial art of Aikido, where he earned a Black Belt. He lives in a Pine forest fronting Kyle Lake in Warrenton Or.

The Guild at LightBox is a group of photographers that exhibit work regularly at the gallery as well as support the mission of the gallery. The Guild at LightBox consist of Jim Fitzgerald, Jody Miller, Julie Moore, Marc McVey, Rachel Wolf, Sam Blair, Michael Puff and Loren Nelson. The Guild’s work is always seen on the walls of LightBox, please enjoy and learn more of these members work and vision.

The Zenscapes exhibit runs from December 9, 2023 through January 10, 2024. Complete show info is on the LightBox website at http://lightbox-photographic.com/shows/. Contact LightBox at 503-468-0238 or info@lightboxphotographic.com. LightBox is located at 1045 Marine Drive in Astoria, hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 12 – 5:00pm.