Stillwater Flood and Fog

Brian Billadeau

My whole life, I’ve been surrounded by and deeply involved in the arts. I’m a fine, graphic and commercial visual artist and photographer — traditional and experimental with multiple disciplines and mediums. I’m also a maker, woodworker and stained glass artist.

One of my side-projects, on display at my NKB studio, is a series called “Lens Painted”. Simply explained — my camera is my brush and everything becomes my paint. In other words, I use my cameras with practiced motions like a brush. Using scenes, objects and textures as paint with various exposure techniques. Printed to canvas, I hand paint with acrylics, add handmade papers and other materials to turn them into unique mixed-media pieces.

With a 30+ year career in arts and advertising, I’ve bridged both the traditional and digital worlds. While I’m professionally satisfied as a senior art director/designer in advertising, the fine arts are what I’m most passionate about. My work has received numerous recognitions, local and national awards, exhibited and published widely.

Visit Brian’s website at:  www.billadeau.com

Contact Brian

Scenic, South Dakota

Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota

Mill City ruins in Minneapolis, Minnesota

An abstract creation using light painting images

An abstract creation using light painting images

From my Lens Painted series. Simply put, this is an in-camera painting using nature. My camera is my brush and everything is my paint.

Grand Marais, Minnesota

Along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Assist nod goes to Mark who was driving but missed it himself.

Taken during a cattle drive in the Sandhills ranch lands outside of Bassett, Nebraska

Infrared image taken during a cattle drive in the Sandhills ranch lands outside of Bassett, Nebraska

Gordy the Gorilla. Sadly, he passed away months later. Como Zoo, St. Paul, Minnesota

Sometimes fate puts you in the right place at the right time. This was one of those mornings. There had been a rare late summer flood on the St. Croix River. On the way to Taylors Falls, we passed through Stillwater. The moment was surreal—calm, quiet and peaceful. With soft sunlight burning through the heavy fog lighting the gazebo, I waited for the lone gull to swim into the frame to complete this tranquil scene. I knew I was capturing a special moment of nature’s raw beauty, power and control. I love the simplicity of the image, yet it offers a complex symbolism.