Greg Davis - World Class Photographer and Storyteller

When I first began my blog, I knew I wanted to write an article about Greg Davis. I have been following his work for several years after seeing his exhibit at a local arts festival. His photography is powerful and compelling, leaving you curious to know more about the faces in the photographs. His images capture the very spirit of his subjects; telling a story that transcends language and cultural diversity.

I wanted to know more about Greg and his personal story, so he graciously agreed to take time from an already packed schedule to talk with me. I had promised him that I would only need about fifteen minutes of his time, but fifteen minutes turned into an hour. He was very candid and open to discussing the path that led him to this point in his life.

His experience with a camera began as a photographer for his high school newspaper in Livingston, Texas. He readily admits that "I wasn't very good at it," and it was seventeen years before he picked up a camera again. After high school Greg wanted to go to art school, but his father wasn't too keen on that idea, so Greg followed the family tradition and went to Baylor.

The journey from being a struggling photographer showing his work on the street, to full time international photographer was not an easy one. Working in the tech world for Dell and Hewlett-Packard left him feeling empty. Life in a cubical was not for Greg Davis. He was struggling with his personal life as well, dealing with the loss of loved ones and the break up of a relationship; he was in a downward spiral that prompted some serious soul searching. At some point Greg started paying attention to the little signs pointing him in the right direction. He took a leap of faith that turned his life around. He quit his job in 2004, saving enough money to take a year off and travel the world to the places that intrigued him. Turkey was first on his list, and from there his passport became really interesting.

The Blanket Weaver

During his travels in Vietnam, Greg encountered a woman on a mountain trail. He noticed that her hands were colored-one green, the other blue. Using some simple sign language, he pointed to her hands with a questioning look. She made a motion indicating that she was a weaver. Greg took the shot, not realizing until later that this was his "aha" moment.

Soul's Windows

Returning to Austin after his travels, with no idea of what was next, he juggled small part-time jobs like tending bar to pay the bills. He really didn't have any idea that the photographs he had taken on his trip would amount to anything, but decided to try his luck at an art venue on Sixth Street. The response to his work, especially The Blanket Weaver, convinced Greg that this photography thing might work out after all.

Things have worked out. He turned his life around, found his passion, got the dream job and got the girl. Greg is living an inspired life doing what he loves, and we are all the better for what he shares with us through his amazing photographs.                        

Motapa

                                                                                  

Road Less Traveled

Santeria Sass

As for the future, Greg says "I want to return to Vietnam and find the woman with the blue and green hands. I want her to know how she has changed my life. Then I want to write a book about the journey."

Greg's work is represented by the National Geographic Image Collection Group.

You can view his portfolio or purchase prints on his website:   www.gregdavisphotography.com

My Sometimes Green Thumb

Spring and early summer is the time of year that I can't resist being outside in my garden. I think of gardening as "agritherapy"- therapeutic for my plants and myself.  When winter has passed, along with any chance of another freeze, it's time to take stock of what has survived, what needs to be replaced and what new plants I want to incorporate.  Days of repotting, weeding, mulching and scouring the nurseries for planting material leave me exhausted but ultimately rewarded.

There is something about working in the garden while the days are still cool, and getting my hands in the dirt that connects me with the season and its promise of renewal. As all gardeners know, it is an ongoing learning experience full of challenges, frustrations and the reality that the job is never quite finished.  So while everything is still alive, here are some pics from my garden.

"Gardening requires lots of water-most of it in the form of perspiration."-Lou Erickson

I love bromeliads for their long lasting color

One of the antique olive oil jars I bought at auction

Photo credit Mia Thornton

Early mums will bloom again in the fall

Natural Beauty

Photo credit Eric Roth

Summer is here and it's time to bring the outdoors into our homes. The cool and natural colors of seashells and driftwood remind us of idyllic days at the beach. Using found objects in a palette of white, bone, ecru, 

and sand is a simple way to refresh any room.  I've included some photos that I hope 

will give you some inspiration.

Star Fish in a silver compote

Bowl of ostrich eggs

Photo Courtesy Veranda

 

California Cachet

I find it inspiring that out of an enduring friendship a creative endeavor was born.  Two women, Carmel and Deborah, friends since design school, left California and moved to Austin. Carmel and her husband came first, and liked Austin so much that they encouraged Deborah to join them.  Combining their talents, they opened Walker Hall Design, a small shop on West 12th Street on the edge of downtown.

Love this eye-popping ottoman

I discovered their shop quite by chance. Spotting the artful window display, I was drawn inside, curious to see more. What I found was not the usual highly edited inventory from market, but something more personal. The shop has an organic feel about it.  A mix of contemporary furniture, home accessories, fabrics, notions and small gifts with big style. 


Their inventory reflects the passions of both of these creative women. Deborah is a furniture designer with a sleek style. No fussy ornamentation here, just clean lines with a contemporary yet timeless look. Her blonde wooden cubes are multi-purpose; they can be stacked in any configuration for shelving, or can be used separately as tables.  I could think of a dozen ways these cubes could work. One of her dining tables was on display, a simple almost Shaker-like design made of repurposed wood, available in a range of finishes.  

Carmel is a talented quilter with an eye for fabric.  I am guessing that she is responsible for many of the charming gifts for children, like the sock monkeys, and notions that make wonderful stocking stuffers.  I bought a few things that I will stash away for presents, but I had a very hard time resisting those monkeys!  Lots of little treasures here. 

Address:  904 West 12 Street Suite D

                (just off of Lamar )

Phone: (512) 499.0484

www.walkerhalldesign.com