SE Center for Photography Greenville, SC "The Intimate Portrait" Juror Joyce Tenneson

I was so honored to have been Co-Jurors choice by Joyce Tenneson for this exhibition! My image "Lifeboat" was co-jurors choice and "Keeper" was chosen for the exhibition as well. My daughter Emily and I made the 8 hour drive to Greenville to the opening night and it was a wonderful event! I walked in to see my image "Lifeboat" on the cover of the exhibition book! I loved meeting new artists in the exhibition whom I hope to call friends! I also met an artist friend Dionne White from Facebook who lives there! Emily and I went to Falls Park the next morning and found an amazing tree! November 2, 2017[caption id="attachment_4226" align="aligncenter" width="819"]

Mystery of Waters
The sea is a gift for the soul. It heals and gives us faith in who we are. As our dreams start as a seed, the waters give it fervent life. It touches our inner voice and shows us our purpose. If we follow, it is calm and hopeful. If we run from that voice and allow our fears to change our course we could be faced with great uncertainty, or even become shipwrecked. In the water it is clear, we are alive, renewed and cleansed. We are light and we are free.
My family has lived by the water since I was 8 years old. My dad, who this series is dedicated to, was a sailor and a captain. He longed for the solace that only the sea could give. In recent years water has become an important symbol in my life and have had several prophetic dreams where I float and pass through water. They have been a leading for me to many new and valuable adventures. As a portrait artist, underwater portraits were my next move. I am not sure what comes next. For now, I will listen to that voice, the one that has led me to the Mystery of Waters.
Erika Masterson 2017[/caption]

Erika Masterson
November 15, 2017

Erika Masterson is a Fine Art Photographer, living her dream between two worlds, a lakeside cabin tucked in the Southern Appalachian mountains and a quiet beach town on Florida’s east coast.Erika and her husband Ed have 4 children and one granddaughter. Her children are often seen in her artistic works.

She received her degree in photography from the Southeastern Center for Photographic Studies in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1990. In 1999 opened her own commercial portrait business and has been working the past 20+ years in California and Florida.

In 2012 Erika expanded her Art including many exhibits and awards. Her most recent accolades; Solo Exhibition Soho Gallery New York; the Co-Jurors Choice award by Joyce Tenneson under the theme “The Intimate Portrait”; She was chosen as a Julia Margaret Cameron finalist for her series “A Message for my Daughter” and was selected as Black and White Magazine’s Portfolio Spotlight winner for her series Sara’s Sojourn.

Her quiet and soulful images have been published in numerous magazines such as Black and White Magazine 2014 & 2017, Victoria Magazine 2000 & 2016, Silvershotz Magazine, Shots Magazine, 5×5 Magazine, Bella Grace Magazine, Raine, Shadow & Light and In-Style Magazine. Erika recently has her images being sold around the world and on greeting cards with Palm Press and book covers. She has also self-published 4 books with her series of work.