Continuing to use my work as an autobiographical response to the unique experiences of growing up in rural Appalachia, Welcome To Nowhere is an emotional landscape of one of these small-town communities in Buena Vista and Lexington, Virginia, a town where you can step off your porch onto the fighting grounds of the Civil War and final resting place of Robert E. Lee. This setting is personal to me, as I spent several years in high school living in the town. This time period would align with a pattern of artistic and emotional growth, leaving me with a long-awaited desire to capture this town and its unique charm through my work. Fueled by a child-like passion to defend the reputation of Appalachia, and these small-towns glittered throughout the region, I attempt to represent the area in a truthful yet personal manner, a contrast from the typical cold, documentary feel we historically see come out of the region. Utilizing dramatic lighting and a vivid color palette, the photos engage with the viewer to transport them into not just the physical setting - but also the life of the town itself. Throughout the series, the viewer will see still-lives, landscapes, and portraits to fully develop the sense of character and charm each composition embodies.
A limited edition of copies will include an 8-page letterpress zine composed alongside the project. This zine, “The Blue Ridge Mountains!: A Comprehensive Guide to Rural Appalachia,” discusses personal and historic insight into the area and imagery seen throughout the book. Using a color palette directly inspired by the one found in Welcome To Nowhere, I attempt to capture a retro feel similar to tour guides produced by the Appalachian Trial Conservancy. The zine uses set type and found vintage metal stamps.