Paul Clark
Farmington Hills, MI
Paul Clark has enjoyed photography since his childhood years when he was heavily into black and white photography. Back then, he took a hands-on approach to every stage of his craft, including developing his own film and prints. Later, Paul became an avid woodworker for many years.
In 2004, Paul chose to channel his woodworking commitment into a new pursuit of photography. Even with the changes that digital photography has brought to the craft, Paul feels he has become reacquainted with “a familiar friend.” His work spans a variety of subjects with an emphasis on landscape and nature.
Based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Paul enjoys living near facilities that provide plenty of opportunity for great nature photographs, including Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan. He was awarded the 2007 Grand Prize by the Detroit Zoo’s Habitat Magazine for a particularly striking photo of two tigers sparring over a water hole. He also makes his work available to local charitable organizations.
Natalie Guess
Naples, FL
As someone who loves working with her hands, Natalie Guess is a natural for the rare art form known as batik. She has worked in this medium for more than 30 years as one of a small number of American professional fine batik artists.
Originating in the pyramidal tombs of Egypt, batik is currently most popular in Indonesia, Africa, and Sri Lanka. The Indonesian word batik means “wax writing.” It involves the painting of hot clear wax on silk or cotton fabric to resist the dyes of color in which the fabric is immersed. This is done one color at a time. The “crackle” effect is created by hand-crunching the waxed fabric prior to immersing it in the dye.
Natalie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Her artwork has been honored with many awards and can be found in numerous private, corporate, and museum collections.
Natalie’s husband, Phil Fisher, is also an artist who was featured in the 2010 CEO Advantage Journal. Together, they own and operate the Phil Fisher Gallery and Guess-Fisher Gallery, Etc. in Naples, Florida.
Tags: CEO Advantage, Natalie Guess, Paul Clark, Phil Fisher
