The photography of Mike Dailey is composed of still scenes within the natural environment, yet these scenes evoke a sense of the subconscious realm of dreams. His subjects are wooden structures, standing stark and solid, touched, dried, and weathered by the hands of time. Presented in near mono-tones and muted hues, these structures contrast their surroundings: soft natural expanses and thick, vast foliage, in shades of gold and mint, on the brink of glowing with the colors of life. Hard lines cut into swirling skies; light and airy, but weighted down in heavy shades of blue and slate. Delicate, lengthy shadows fall along the smoothness of soft ground, looming over a single barren tree, conveying a sense of desolation.
Throughout Mike's work, there is a solitary feeling that speaks of quietness and calmness. The presence of man is felt, yet only seen through his creations. Mike's photographs are silent, still, and peaceful. Through his use of color, the viewer is urged to study the contrasts of texture, to examine the detail of ordinary scenes, revealing them as not so ordinary after all.
Select Exhibitions & Galleries
Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, IN
30th Elkhart Juried Regional 2008
Hanging Prints - "Maritime Museum" & "Thoreson Sunset"
Group exhibition, October 10 - December 7, 2008
midwestmuseum.org
30th Elkhart Juried Regional 2008
Hanging Prints - "Maritime Museum" & "Thoreson Sunset"
Group exhibition, October 10 - December 7, 2008
midwestmuseum.org
Chesterton Art Comp 2008, Chesterton, IN
Hanging Prints - "Maritime Museum" & "Thoreson Tool Shed"
Group Exhibition, August 26 - September 26, 2008
chestertonart.org
Hanging Prints - "Maritime Museum" & "Thoreson Tool Shed"
Group Exhibition, August 26 - September 26, 2008
chestertonart.org
Port Oneida Fair, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI
Large Format Photography Demonstrations
National Park Service, August 8-9, 2008
Large Format Photography Demonstrations
National Park Service, August 8-9, 2008
Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, IN
29th Elkhart Juried Regional 2007
Hanging Print - "Apple Blossom"
Group exhibition, October 12 - December 9, 2007
Midwestmuseum.org
29th Elkhart Juried Regional 2007
Hanging Print - "Apple Blossom"
Group exhibition, October 12 - December 9, 2007
Midwestmuseum.org
Port Oneida Fair, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI
Large Format Photography Demonstrations
National Park Service, August 10-11, 2007
Large Format Photography Demonstrations
National Park Service, August 10-11, 2007
The Coastal Arts League of Half Moon Bay, CA
2007 International Juried Photo Competition
Hanging Prints - "Kelderhouse Road" & "Tree's Shadow"
Group Exhibition, March 9 - April 9, 2007
coastside-artists.com
2007 International Juried Photo Competition
Hanging Prints - "Kelderhouse Road" & "Tree's Shadow"
Group Exhibition, March 9 - April 9, 2007
coastside-artists.com
Chesterton Art Comp 2006, Chesterton, IN
Award of Distinction - "Kelderhouse Road"
Hanging Print - "Martin Basch Barns"
Group Exhibition, August 26 - September 30, 2006
Award of Distinction - "Kelderhouse Road"
Hanging Print - "Martin Basch Barns"
Group Exhibition, August 26 - September 30, 2006
The Old Bag Factory, Goshen, IN
Solo Gallery Exhibition, August 7, 2006 - October 25, 2006
Solo Gallery Exhibition, August 7, 2006 - October 25, 2006
Port Oneida Fair, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI
Large Format Photography Demonstrations
National Park Service, August 4-5, 2006
Large Format Photography Demonstrations
National Park Service, August 4-5, 2006
Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, IN
27th Elkhart Juried Regional 2005
Best Photography - "Tree's Shadow"
Hanging Print - "Martin Basch Barns"
Group exhibition, October 22 - December 4, 2005
midwestmuseum.org
27th Elkhart Juried Regional 2005
Best Photography - "Tree's Shadow"
Hanging Print - "Martin Basch Barns"
Group exhibition, October 22 - December 4, 2005
midwestmuseum.org