I traveled and photographed in Iceland in the summer of 2004-anticipating great adventure and visual discovery, yet going with no particular idea of what I would find. Once there, I found swirling, flowing movement in lava, earth, and ice, in mountain streams, ocean waves, grasses, great flocks of Arctic terns-all visually engaging.

I assumed I would mostly photograph the wild and otherworldly landscape that comprised this unusual island-and though I did photograph many aspects of Iceland's landscape, I found a particular subject that equally thrilled, and one that truly surprised me.

It was a chance and serendipitous encounter with a subject that seemed in accord with the natural elements of the land that I had been observing-yet one that also resembled abstract paintings, Japanese woodblocks, Van Gogh drawings. I was overjoyed with the experience of the discovery and the beauty of the fluid lines and tones filling my 8x10 ground glass. I kept saying to myself, "This is a gift." I worked quickly and with enormous energy for fear that the whitewashed shop windows with their accidental marks might suddenly disappear. I have wondered if the person assigned to block the outsider's view of this space knew they were making something so vibrant and rhythmical, or if they were aware they were creating something amazing-truly windows of opportunity.

These photographs are each $1,500 and are available by contacting us directly.

Paula Chamlee

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