Using components of nature, whether in photographs or etched glass, Todd Stokes expresses “ideals  of preservation and the endless underlying powers and rhythms of nature. The budding leaves in spring growing to summers full canopy changing into the beautiful splendor of autumn then falling to the ground, becoming the fuel that helps this cycle happen all over again in the spring.

“While we’re waiting for spring the bare trees offer us the shadows of their limbs that stretch across the gently rolling landscape.”

Stokes also enjoys working in the abstract. Using photographically produced imagery for the background, “Rhythmic Moves” symbolizes nature’s rhythm over the constantly moving background of time.

“Ephemeral Forest” is a panoramic photograph that expresses the need to preserve one of our greatest resources, our forests. Experimenting with different capture methods this photograph is the result of camera movement experiments conducted by Stokes.

“Rhythmic Moves” and “Ephemeral Forest” by Stokes will be featured throughout September in River City Art Association’s Artist of the Month exhibit in the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets in Terre Haute.

An active member of the Indiana-Illinois arts community,  still finds time to create interesting and compelling 2-D and 3-D works in The Golden Frame at Terre Haute and in his studio at Dennison, Ill.

“Fall Cycle 2” is Stokes’ interpretation of autumn’s necessary role in nature. The leaves hàve just fallen  and the bare trees stand in stark surprise in front of their once lively canopy. This piece, also on display throughout September in First Financial Bank, Springhill branch lobby, is among 18 winning works of art in RCAA’s recent 10th annual Juried Exhibition.