Book Description:
Within the pages of this book lies a rare thing,
a visual testimony to the power, beauty and nurturing of relationships between
people, between man and nature, between spirit and art. As chance would have it,
Roger Moore and William B. Sechrest came together at a time and place when each
was discovering in his own way his ties to the soul of nature, and to a need to
express in his art a strong sense of kinship with the unique beauty and
character of the California coastline.
It soon became apparent through shared experiences that Moore’s striking black
and white photography and Sechrest’s poignant poetry comprised a natural pairing
-- a wedding of visual and poetic imagery that speaks to the reader on several
levels and warrants many return visits. This book is far more than an adornment
for someone’s coffee table. Beautiful as it is, its real power comes from the
language of the spirit. Sometimes Sechrest and Moore master that language
exactly; sometimes they can only hint at the soul’s stirring. But once picked
up, this book cannot help but draw us into its reverie.
In Roger's own words: "This Collection consists of 30 images, which were
created in mid-October, 1999 – when William B. Sechrest and I explored the Big
Sur, Carmel, Carmel Valley, and Monterey areas of California. Bill guided me
through those areas that have been dear to him and to his family… I simply made
photographs as I was moved by the special qualities of this beautiful area.
This book is a product of that magical experience. "
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CONTENTS:
View the Complete Collection of Images
contained in "Beneath Words"
Press Release:
Artistic collaboration
results in book of photographs and poetry
celebrating the Northern California coast
If the left brain controls quantitative and analytical functions while the right
brain lends itself to more artistic and expressive purposes, two Dallas
businessmen -- whom friends would agree were definitely left brained --have made
a mental shift to being right brain dominant.
The result? A new book of black and white photographs and poetry celebrating the
beauty of the northern California coastal areas of Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey.
The book, Beneath Words, grew from a unique partnership between William
Sechrest, a prominent Dallas attorney and Roger Moore, a former Merrill Lynch
stockbroker turned professional photographer. Introduced by a mutual friend,
Sechrest admired the landscape photographs Moore sells through art galleries and
asked if he had images of the northern California coast, an area Sechrest and
his family love. Moore didn't, but proposed a trip to California for the purpose
of making images of Sechrest's favorite locations in Big Sur, Carmel, and
Monterey. A deal was struck and the two packed up and headed for California.
"Here were two guys who each spent over 30 years in analytical occupations and
yet both of us have re-oriented and are spending our time on artistic and
literary activities. We headed for California to feed our needs for artistic
expression.
"The Northern California coast is a photographer's dream," said Moore, "and
seeing it through the eyes of someone who knows and loves it inspired my image
making. We hiked, talked, and photographed for two weeks. We also became close
friends. While we were there, it was not only foggy, but also smoky due to
nearby forest fires. The haziness gives the resulting images a unique, almost
surreal look."
Sechrest was also inspired. The photographs were the catalysts causing him to
put pen to paper to write a series of poems reflecting his California
experiences.
"Bill's ties to that part of California are strong and emotional. A widower, his
second wife's ashes are scattered there. His poems celebrate his memories and
convey his love for the area," said Moore.
"The Karen Mitchell Frank art gallery in Dallas did a one man show of my
California photographs and we framed some of Bill's poems along with the
photographs. He and I also read some of them at the show's opening. The reaction
was so positive for both the images and the poetry that we decided to cooperate
on a book."
Response to the photographs has been strong. Paula Stoeke, Owner of the Montana
Studio art gallery in Santa Monica (CA) said, "These are photographs that go
beyond recording the natural magic. Moore invites us in to experience something
profound."
Mark Kayne, Owner of the Focus Photographic Gallery in Carmel (CA) agrees that
the photographs are exceptional, "(Moore) puts out art that tugs at a cord so
deep within you that it is difficult to walk away from one of his compositions.
Roger's work not only speaks to me, I sit in front of it, and have conversations
with it -- don't miss a chance to appreciate it."
The new book, Beneath Words, was published by Palo Duro Press
(ISBN-0-9701908-0-8) and printed by Trafton Printing. It retails for $50.
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Reviews and Comments:
Jonathan Kirsch
Special to the
LA Times --
Wednesday, February 21, 2001
"The single most photographed scene in Big Sur is the
view from the deck of Nepenthe, the landmark restaurant on Highway 1, a view
that helps to explain why a hamburger costs $11.50. Still, as we are
reminded in "Beneath Words: Images and Poetry of Carmel, Big Sur and
Monterey, California" by Roger Moore and William B. Sechrest (Palo Duro Press,
$50, 71 pages), plenty of other sights along the Big Sur coast are no less
spectacular but far less familiar because it takes more enterprise and
imagination to search them out.
That's precisely what photographer Moore has done in
"Beneath Words," a brief but exquisite and opulent collection of black-and-white
photographs of the coves and caves, redwood groves and lone oaks, wild beaches
and quiet meadows that can be found along the route through Big Sur toward
Carmel and Monterey. His images are deeply reminiscent of the work of
Ansel Adams and Edward Weston -- spare and austere, sometimes almost abstract --
and they succeed in capturing the subtle beauty of the place.
The title of the book is slightly ironic, as it turns
out, because Moore's photographs are accompanied by short bursts of prose and
poetry by his co-author, Bill Sechrest, who accompanied Moore on the 1999
expedition that produced the book. "The poetry and prose emerged," the
authors explain, "springing out of the images." At moments, however, the
words seem almost superfluous, as Sechrest admits in one of his poems about the
experience of Big Sur: "I may pick up pencil," he writes, "or I may simply
choose to dance."
I, too, have been moved to the
writing of poetry while in Big Sur, and the authors seem to acknowledge that
their readers may share the same impulse -- each page of the book is designed
with a generous amount of white space where readers can add their own words if
they are so inspired."
Paula Stoeke,
Owner/Director, Montana Studio, Santa Monica, CA
"...These are photographs that go beyond
recording the natural magic. Moore invites us in to experience something
profound."
Love and Nature
Reviewer: A reader from Dallas, Texas USA
Through his discerning eyes Roger's penetrating photographs reveal the richness
of nature along the Carmel, Big Sur and Monterey Coasts and opens our eyes to
our own backyards. A photographer who shows the soul of rocks, trees, leaves,
caves, ocean, sand and sky. Bill's words call the soul of the world, drawing us
into a fullness of life's emotions, triggering our own losses and hope and
wonder...then reminds us of the gift of each moment through sound, sight and
feelings. A poet with the courage to bare his soul and in so doing awakens our.
These photographs and poetry bring the universe to our doorsteps. A treasure
book.
Rest for a soul
Reviewer: Victoria Khan from Khabarovsk, Russia
Moore's Photographs are fresh and modern. I highly enjoyed it and
recommend it to everyone.
Living art
Reviewer: Michael Trimble from Pampa, Texas USA
Art should provoke response, should inspire action in kind. This
book delivers a moving example of just that: photographer inspiring poet, poet
guiding the artist's eye. Moore's captivating images are, on one level, a
beautiful rendering of Monterey's allure. But like Sechrest, I see something
else, something profoundly emotional, which Moore achieves straightforwardly,
without artifice or manipulation. Be sure to share this book with your most
insightful friends and enjoy their responses.
Exciting....fresh...visions
Reviewer: Debra Lawrence from Chesterfield, MO.
Moore's photographs of Carmel, the Texas Panhandle, New York and
all of his photography is breathtaking. These images come in to your mind, your
heart and you can feel as one with them. Perhaps places you have never been and
yet feel as if you have due to Moore's balance of nature's beauty and his
extreme talent.
A wonderful gift...
Reviewer: Mila from new York, NY USA
Recently, I was given a copy of this book as a gift, and was
immediately struck by the beauty and thoughtful compositions of both the images
and the poetry.
The photographs are of the California coast, but they are certainly not the
typical "postcard" shots. In black and white, and rich in tonality, these are
complicated images, some of whose beauty strikes you immediately, and some of
whose beauty sneaks up on you. Seemingly simple scenes resonate with hidden
complexity brought to light by the masterful eye of the photographer. Like Zen
style ink paintings, many of the images and poems are deceptively simple at
first glance, but gain depth and meaning with careful appreciation. Honest and
thoughtful, almost meditative, as the title suggests, this book works on a level
that is fundamental. Highly recommended...
Touching Your Spirit
Reviewer: Anastasia Cameron from Southlake, TX USA
There is beauty all around us though we so often neglect to
observe it. When we do, we find our spirits filled with joy. Roger Moore's
magnificent photographs and William Sechrest's moving poetry touch the best in
us and therefore fill our spirits with joy. I highly recommend this beautiful
book to all those who wish to take a moment for themselves. By purchasing this
book you gift yourself or those you choose to share it with, with achingly
beautiful images and often thought provoking words.
Inhale Deeply..............
Reviewer: Suying Young from Dallas, TX
Roger's images call to you in silence....if you close your eyes
you can catch the scent of the wood and the essence of the
ocean....inhale....deeply.
Stirred with Emotion
Reviewer: Rebecca Olmstead from Dallas, TX USA
Roger Moore's photographic style is exquisitely unique, truly a
fine-art master, and his choice of subject matter can't be beat. These elements
combined along with Sechrest's magical and moving poetry take the reader on a
virtual fantasy vacation to one of the world's most beautiful and unforgettable
areas. The fusing of the artistry of both the photographer and poet gift the
viewer/reader with the stirring of all of the senses and emotions. One feels as
if they've stepped into the photograph, smelled the ocean, looked up at the
trees, felt the feelings, loved as Moore and Sechrest have loved.
Beneath Words is beyond words
Reviewer: Susan Jayne from Birmingham, England
Roger's ability to capture a pure and beautiful essence and
reproduce it for our eyes, allows us to enter another dimension from which to
view the world.
Praise for Beneath Words
Reviewer: Jane Bell from Lubbock, Texas
Beneath Words belongs on the bookshelf of anyone who feels passionately about
Carmel, Big Sur, and Monterey, California. William Sechrest's poetry is
powerfully evocative, and Roger Moore's black and white images capture to
perfection the mystery, mood, and spirit of the region.
Haunting Images of Beauty
Reviewer: Paula Shackleton from Pacific Palisades, CA USA
I purchased a piece of work from the series of images depicted in this book from
the Montana Gallery in Santa Monica, they are immaculate and beautifully
crafted. Anyone who has visited or knows the Big Sur area will want to have a
copy. Roger is the Ansel Adams of this generation and Big Sur is the newest
addition to the National Parks. Don't miss out! The story behind the commission
of these photos is very touching also.
An Artist's Eye, A Poet's Soul
Reviewer: Susan Rand Roberts from Dallas, Texas USA
This book is a delightful pairing of Roger Moore's stunning photography with the
poetic inspirations of Bill Sechrest. Roger "sees" with his camera's eye images
of unimaginable richness and depth. His images elicit complex emotions in the
viewer, recalling that breathtaking moment when you realize the miraculous
beauty of nature. Bill shares his very personal responses to that beauty, in
words that touch the reader deeply.
Beneath Words in Pictures
Reviewer: Steve Shapiro from Pebble Beach, CA USA
Beneath Words instead of beyond words describes the feelings author Sechrest who
entitles all of us to the emotions of a honeymoon even after having lost his
wife of that adventure to cancer twenty-seven years later. The feelings of a
honeymoon in a place dedicated to such unearthly love is captured beneath these
words in pictures by Roger Moore, who made a collection of what each picture is
worth in emotion, beyond a thousand words; and the whole collection is an
emotional treat, a breath of natural scented California, Central Coastal air.
This Book Is Soul Food
Reviewer: Larry G Griffith from Amarillo, TX USA
This book can definitely be classified as "Soul Food". Roger Moore's photographs
lend themselves to adventures in spirit, while Bill Sechrest's poetry is an
emotional experience to be savored. The combination of the two provides one with
an emotional and spiritual experience which is most uplifting.
Gunild Pak, fine artist, Dallas, Texas
Reviewer: Gunild Pak from Dallas, TX, USA
"Absolutely stunning art... a pure Zen photographer at his best."
Beneath Words is beyond words
Reviewer: James H Holman from Oklahoma City, OK USA
Roger Moore's work simply pulls one into the picture and creates the feeling
that one is actually in it. This book makes the impossible, possible...having
many of Roger's works all together. Outstanding.
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