Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio

James Stasiak

James Stasiak "Henri Cartier Bresson said, 'It is an illusion that photos are made with a camera...they are made with the eye, heart and head.' My photography relies on emotion to recognize an image, technology to develop it, and both to create an image. I call my process Improvisational Development. Much like jazz musicians playing a melody in its original form, and then improvising to present the melody in different forms, my work evolves through various stages which focus, guide and intensify my emotional involvement with the emerging image. There is always a blend of conscious decision with mindful guidance. When my feelings reach a still point, I know the work is done. I hope that the viewer will accept the representation of what I see and use it to improvise with their mind’s eye." —Jim Stasiak.

Stasiak is an award-winning photographic artist, musician and printing arts professional living in New Milford, CT. His photography spans documentary, creative, travel and constructed imaging, using film since 1965, digital since 1995, and fully digital since 2002. An experienced giclée printmaker, Stasiak has worked with color laser, dye-sublimation and archival pigment ink printers and papers. He continues to evolve and refine his photographic and printing skills. He and his wife Bobbi operate Nu Pica Design, their creative arts firm, and appear with their band Hummingbird throughout northwest Connecticut. www.wisefishworld.com.

Embodied in his own use of digital imaging is Stasiak's belief that digital applications are specialized tools that can expand the creative range and perception of the artist in an intuitive, beneficial manner. He has taught photographers and artists how computer-based tools affect the photographic process, how traditional skills can translate from the physical world to the metaphysical world, and how to work with the technical considerations inherent in producing digital art. Stasiak is experienced in professional retouching and image optimization for the advertising, fashion, music, publishing and lithographic printing industries. His 45+ years' experience in the industry blended photography, graphic design, typography, systems design, R&D and senior management positions.

Stasiak studied photography at Pratt Institute; writing at City College of New York; electronic music composition at Manhattan School of Music; and platinum photo printing with Tillman Crane.

Stasiak regularly exhibits his photo/graphic works at Gallery 25 (New Milford), Carriage Barn Arts Center (New Canaan), Washington Art Association (Washington), White Silo Farm Gallery (Sherman), and Miranda Vineyard Gallery (Goshen). His work is in the permanent collection of Danbury Hospital, CT, and private collections in CT, NY, IL, CA, NH and ME.