The Private Diary of Noyes Capehart
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It may come as a surprise to some, a disappointment even, to learn there is no worn diary atop one of my studio shelves; no single, weathered book in which I’ve dutifully registered a commentary on the pages of my life. The Private Diary is a body of visual works completed during the past thirty-five years (1970- 2005), most of which incorporate written components of some kind. Put simply, it is a blend of visual and written content that has allowed me to fashion a meaningful dialogue with self, a way of processing a host of experiences, thoughts, and feelings that have come with my life’s journey.
I was approached by Deborah Bradshaw of Dancingfish Press in August of 2004 with the invitation to consider the possibility of a book on my Diary pictures. From that casual lunch with our mutual friend Gretchen Martin, nearly fifteen months have been spent
photographing works and writing a manuscript. The book was released in the summer of 2006. The sampling of works shown here comes from this thirty-five year odyssey, many of which could not be shown without the gracious cooperation of collectors.
Stephen Doherty, Managing Editor of American Artist magazine, wrote of my work in a 1995 article for the publication, “The process by which he expresses these feelings and experiences resembles the way a writer establishes the plot of a novel. He imagines all the elements of a richly detailed story – characters, costumes, and furnishings – and then creates mental pictures of the action taking place at critical moments in the story.”
In the greater scheme of things, my Diary pictures may be little more than a string of footprints in the evening sand. They simply bear witness to my presence on this earth, fleeting and transitory as it is. By morning, a pristine beach will await the next traveler’s feet. But this I do know about my creative journey: the privilege of being able to enjoy and experience my life is first and foremost a blessing from God, for which I am thankful every single day. At seventy-three years of age, I want to believe I have pictures and stories ahead of me, but if my tide comes in tomorrow I’ll have few grounds for complaints.
Click on images to enlarge.
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This material may not be reproduced, duplicated, or redistributed in any form without the written permission of Noyes Capehart or his agents. All of the text and images on this website are copyright © 1973-2007 by Noyes Capehart and as such are protected by United States and International copyright law. |