From Caulk Guns to Cameras

Artist Michael McKenna, a resident of Scotch Plains, has received local acclaim for his stunning photographs. He came in second place in the photography category of the Scotch Plains and Fanwood Arts Association's 2010 art show, and his work has since been featured in several local galleries.

McKenna, who runs a construction company, has no formal training. "I didn't take any classes," he said. "But I read. A lot." He also spent much of his time outside the house, and nature soon became the subject of his photography.

"I was always outdoors when I was a kid, playing ball, and I just love the way the outdoors looks." McKenna said, gazing at his photographs. "I drive everywhere for my job, and I'll see something, and I'll know that it'll make a good picture."

When he finds something to shoot, McKenna sets his alarm for early morning, grabs his Cannon TX, outfitted with Tamron 18-270 mm lens, and arrives at his shortly before daybreak. "I like to shoot at dawn," he said. "It's basically the only free time I have."

The Zion Art Gallery and Hair Salon in Madison, owned by Joseph Cuozzo, was the first to display McKenna's work. "I became aware of Mike's work through a friend on Facebook, and realized that it had a lot of potential," Cuozzo said.

He featured McKenna's work earlier this year, and said plans to do so again. "The showing was a success," he said. "Michael's artwork is both artistic and marketable; it works as décor or fine art."

Bob Friscia, owner of Classic Framing and Gifts in Fanwood, home to the new Wings Art Gallery, said he agreed. "He has a fresh perspective. Mike can see a shot before he takes it. He really gets it."

Friscia has owned the shop for over six years, and worked previously in an art gallery. He and Helen Ling, the owner of the gallery itself, both think that McKenna's work should be shared.

 "I think that a lot of people are interested in art, and it was unfortunate that there was no venue. So I started the gallery," Ling said. "Through his lens, we see the area in a totally new way."

Michael McKenna's work is striking in its nuances. He tends to work in high contrast black and white, but as he, himself, said, "sometimes color speaks louder." The photographs are of astonishing depth, with subtle shades of gray drawing the viewer's eyes beyond the foreground. The images are often so sharp that it is possible to make out the bark on trees in the distance.

His use of black and white in most pieces instill a timeless quality in them; they could have been taken yesterday or sixty years ago. He also makes extensive use of reflections.

McKenna's work has appeared at the Zion Gallery in Madison, as well as being shown in the Starbucks in the South Orange Train Station, a common location for his photographs. McKenna's artwork will be featured at the Wings Art Gallery, at 228 South Avenue, Fanwood, from Aug. 6 through Sept. 3.