Ruth Butler won the Black and White New Mexico Landscape Photography contest with her photograph Turquoise Trail Storm. Blu and KBAC co-sponsored the event with the Georgia O'Keeffe Education Annex in conjunction with the Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities exhibition which opened May 23rd. You may view her winning photograph in the lobby at the Wells Fargo bank located at 241 Washington.

Blu: So what are you working on now?
RB: Last night I stayed up all night working on a new piece. It's more contemporary and since I am working in Photoshop, it has a painterly effect. My ideas are better at night without any distractions. I live in Eldorado and it's a great place to take photos of cloud formations... big white fluffy clouds coming in from Albuquerque or Taos. I'm never disappointed. I catch new images just out my studio window, or while biking or driving all the time.

How did you find out about the Black and White New Mexico Landscape Photography contest ?
From outsider painter, Richard Kurtz. He's connected with a group called Strange Weeds. I met him through a Santa Fe Community College class for portfolio organization taught by Jeffrey Gorman.

How long have you lived in Santa Fe?
I've lived here since 2000 but when I visited in 1990, I was looking for a place that was right for me. I bought a house and rented it out until I moved here. I was living in Santa Barbara where I took classes in multimedia and had some great teachers that knew a lot about technology.

How long have you been a photographer?
I started in Buffalo where I spent the early part of my life. I took pictures but had no photography shows back then. I didn't like the chemicals. I prefer digital. It puts everything in one place and that makes it exciting.

Is the photograph Turquoise Trail Storm a composite?
Barely. I may have removed a sign. Extended the fence.

Is photography your primary source of income?
It's my goal for it to be my primary source of income. I worked at Wells Fargo full-time for 2 years. Now I contract with them a couple of days a week. I work with the community banking foundation. I get to help spend foundation money for non-profits. Turquoise Trail Storm is displayed in the lobby at their 241 Washington location across from the Scottish Rite Temple.

How do you market your work?
I have my blog setup so that it's linked to my website. I've learned that it's good to have lots of links. It attracts more traffic. It's very effective so is my direct mailing list. I also network with photographers and artists. I show in New York at Monkdogz Urban Art. It's an international gallery with 143 artists.

What keeps you inspired?
I'm always looking for what other people are doing. Monkdogz has been really helpful. The owners tell me: “Raise the bar. Don't be afraid to take a risk. Start out with something outrageous and then work backwards.” I've also learned a lot from Marcia Reidman and Jan Deligans at SFCC. I'm not as technical as the other students... I'm more the creative type.

What is your dream?
Having a one person show at Monkdogz with really large pieces. Here in Santa Fe the widest print I can get is 40” inches so I'm thinking of working in sections and then piecing them together without it looking like it has lines. Maybe adding some paint. And when I get there, there will be the next dream.

What kind of music do you like?
I am hooked on Soul music. Good soul still gives me goose bumps. Right now I'm listening a lot to David Cook from American Idol.

Have you used your Taos getaway prize yet?
I'm still trying to do the getaway. I'm thinking of going up when there are less tourists. The prizes are wonderful. Thank you so much. I had a lot of fun with my friends at the winner's reception. It really meant a lot to me.

Note: Ruth Butler also won the albuquerqueARTS magazine’s 2008 judge’s choice award in its annual July photography edition for her image The Coat Room. If you would like to see more of her work, go to http://www.ruthbutler.com/