"Machismo" 1999, Valarie Dow, MFA, University of Utah Enigmatic Toned Silver Print, Oils on Paper 27 x 37 in. Mounted on 30 x 39 in. paper, unframed Purchased in 2001, Salt Lake City Gallery, Utah Artist Statement: This work involves my exploration of the beauty of places and objects which contain a human history and illustrates my interest in the passing of time. I illustrate this with the use of a reflective surface. I hope to say that our past brings a richness to our present and deserves honor. The compilation o f work in this thesis involves a span of 10 years. I began it by taking photographs of personal space and places filled with symbols o f time. I examined reflective surface to increase ambiguity and emphasize the passing of time and later applied colored oil paint and stains as physical and emotional response to the images. I work with each image until it has reached a resolution beyond what I find in my straight photographic prints. I have started to take the time to explore my response to an image and add color to reflect the emotion I want it to express. I do this by physically adding toners, coffee, iron oxide, and oil paint to its surface. I attempt to create visual images that translate like a line in a poem or novel to invite the viewer to linger awhile.