Between the unique lighting, intriguing photographs, and variety of muses, Rebecca Sexton-Larson and Mark Larson deliver quiet a display! Upon entering the gallery, the first thing to catch one’s eye would be, Rebecca’s box or pinhole photographs, which served as the exhibitions centerpieces. These clear boxes contain some of what I would call, her make shift photographs; but officially called pinhole photographs. These photos were taken from a variety of mediums- everything from a margarita shaker to a Starbucks cup. Mark explained the process of making these pinhole photographs by saying, “Anything light tight can be made into a camera… She drove a needle through it and taped a shim inside the camera, and used positive negative paper inside,” and from there she took her photos. The Starbucks cup photos or her margarita shaker photos are one of a kind, if a museum or a collector was interested in purchasing these collections, they would get the said medium i.e., Starbucks cup and all of the photos taken from that medium.

  Interestingly, the airstream from which they produce the majority of their work can also be converted into a “sit down, let us serve you gallery,” according to Mark “We put on the white gloves and come to you.” This is just one of the many attributes of these photographers that makes them so unique. Concerning Mark’s body of work, similar to Rebecca, he too plays largely on the lighting of his photographs. What I found to be the most intriguing was (like Rebecca) he doesn’t stick to just one traditional camera. Some of Mark’s photos were taken with his iPhone, a toy camera, and others with just a regular old camera.

  With photos taken from the iPhone, Mark was able to play with shadows and lighting in the pictures using different apps, much like those he would traditionally develop. In fact, Mark’s two larger photos of the blowing rocks ironically located at Blowing Rocks Beach near Jupiter, Florida, were taken on his iPhone.

  What’s unique about Mark’s photos is his technique with which he develops them; his secret to the rustic dark finish is a chemical known as silver nitrate. The process of using this chemical calls for lathering either side of the negative with silver nitrate, then leaving it in the sun to bake anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes then run it under water. Silver nitrate photographs come out with an authentic handmade look to them, which is what gives Mark’s photographs the genuine feel conveyed to its viewer. However, an important note for those considering using silver nitrate, beware of the harsh stains left. According to Mark, the process of removal involves scrubbing so hard that one must remove a layer of skin if not two; moral of the story– please use gloves.

  On a personal note, my favorite part of getting to know more about Mark and Rebecca was getting to know them as people. At most galleries, I have felt a layer of separation from the artists or photographers. Mark and Rebecca are genuinely funny, down to earth people, who truly love what they do. I felt welcomed from the minute I stepped into their airstream.

  The vehicle is Mark and Rebecca’s home away from home. Within this modern airstream you’ll find a radio, flat-screen TV and surround sound. Be on the lookout for more rustic, romantic works from the Larsons.