My Recent Story. . . .
Inside us, there’s another unity.
Behind each eye here, one glowing weather.
Every forest branch moves differently in the breeze,
but as they sway, they connect at the roots.
— Rumi
When a friend invited me to a lecture featuring
photographs of the human iris as a blueprint to
the personality, I had no clue photography
would become the avenue for my artistic expression.
At the time, as a sign painter and visual artist, I just
gazed in awe, amazed at the detail and variety each
eye presented – and was deeply moved. That weekend
a seed was planted in my mind . . . the idea of the eye
as a ‘work of art.’
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After moving to Seattle, I bought an SLR camera and experimented taking pictures of friends and family’s eyes. By covering up the sclera (the white part), I eventually created artwork I liked, and discovered the popular Fremont Market where I could set up a display and photo booth – and Eye-Scapes was born.
People have compared these images to mandalas, planets in space, agates and more. Over the years, I’ve met many fascinating people from around the world with their own visions and stories to tell. These interactions, along with the evolution of my artwork, have led me to explore combining imagery that expresses the idea of our singularity as it weaves into our universality.
About the Photographer
Ellen Martorelli began taking pictures of eyes in 1992. Since then, over 5,000 people from around the world have received pictures of their eyes as art.
Her photos have been displayed at the “VISION” Exhibit at the Pacific Science Center and are currently part of the Nocturnal Exhibit at the Woodland Park Zoo. They were spotlighted in Seattle Magazine and the Tacoma News Tribune. Her images are marketed through Getty Images and have appeared in such diverse magazines as People, Optometric Management, and Bon Apetit. Ellen has also been featured on the popular northwest TV program “Evening Magazine”.
About the Photography
These photos were taken with an Olympus SLR OM4-T non-digital camera with a shoe-ring flash and 50mm macro lens with converter. The reflection of the flash, normally seen in the eye, as well as the sclera, the white part of the eye, have been digitally removed to create a more artistic rendering of the images.
Special thanks to family and friends who have encouraged and supported me in this artistic journey, particularly:
Frank Martorelli, Claudia McNeill and Scott Ward, who helped me launch Eye-Scapes. Your enthusiasm, creative insights and open hearts (not to mention helping hands at my photo booth when needed!) has been appreciated more than I could ever say. Jim Chapman, co-founder of CVAC, who walked into my Eye-Scapes booth one summer day – and never left! Thanks for enlivening my booth and the on-going adventure of our friendship. Bill Caradonna, who taught me how to use the camera and provided me with many practical experiences to boot! (thanks for seeing the eye as art in your own practice). Julie DiJoseph, whose keen editing eye was invaluable in developing the calendar layout. Nancy Merrill, proofreader extraordinaire. Richard Chadek, for keeping me focused with his insightful coaching skills. Bob Johnson, who shared in many collaborative hours designing backgrounds to these images. Susan and Richard Rogers for your continued support including webite skills and creativity and on-going friendship.
And Prem Rawat, whose kindness, wisdom and generosity helped shape my artistic vision, and perspective on life.
- Ellen
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