Birds of Seven Islands by Ken Jenkins, Ron McConathy, and Clay Thurston

September 4-25, 2020
Birds of Seven Islands by Ken Jenkins, Ron McConathy, and Clay Thurston
Opening reception: Friday, September 4, 5:00-7:00 PM
Gallery hours: Wednesdays, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and other days (Monday-Friday 9 AM – 5 PM) by appointment only. Please note, the Emporium will be closed Monday, September 7, for the holiday.

To promote the awareness of Seven Islands State Birding Park as a premier birding destination, this exhibition features a selection of images from among the more than 200 species of birds that have been sighted at the Park. The photographers, Ken Jenkins, Ron McConathy, and Clay Thurston represent the finest nature/wildlife photographers in the Knoxville region, and their art is a reflection of the beauty that is on display at Seven Islands Park on a daily basis. The Park encompasses 46 acres along the French Broad River in Knox County, approximately 19 miles east of Knoxville. This peninsula of land features more than eight miles of nature trails, rolling hills, and views of the Smoky Mountains. Songbirds, hawks, and waterfowl may be seen along the meadow trails, and several old barns are a favorite refuge for Barn Owls. For more information on the Park, visit www.7islands.org.

About the photographers:

Ken Jenkins
www.kenjenkins.com

I grew up in Newport, Tennessee, a small town at the foothills to the Great Smoky Mountains. I have always been very proud to be from that area. Some of the finest people I have ever met live there. I spent my early years around folks that care about each other, work very hard, and encourage each other…people that love their country, trust in God, and want for very little.

I was never without work from the time I was 12 years of age. My outdoor interests were keen as far back as I can remember. My mother and father and brother camped and hiked in the mountains all my young life. We loaded the station wagon every summer and crossed the country on a shoestring budget. I was in Scouts until I was eighteen and received my Eagle Scout rank. As I look back to those years, I can clearly see that my early locations, associations, and vocations all led to this great pursuit of photographing wildlife and everything else that nature presents.

I had a camera as early as 12 years of age and began to get real serious about my photography in my early twenties. After all of these years, I still get just as excited when I am watching a bear or a beaver as I did when I was young. The joy of watching and experiencing and learning has always been superior to the recording of that subject.

My first book (if you could call 28 pages of text and photos a book) came out in 1983. It was titled “A Walk With the Smoky Mountain Bears”. Soon to follow was “Bathed In Glory” a photo essay book on the Cades Cove region of the Smokies. Later on, I wrote a series of wildlife books called “The Wilderness World of…Baby Bears”, “…of River Otters”, “…of White-tailed Deer”, “…of Baby Raccoons”. My first coffee table book was published by Graphic Arts Center Publishing in 1993 and was titled, “Great Smoky Mountains National Park”. Later titles were Reflections of the Grizzly, Reflections of the Wolf, and Reflections of the Black Bear.

We began Pathways to Nature Publishing in the early 90’s and released an assortment of note cards, posters, journals, and other photographic pieces. It has been a wonderful pursuit traveling around this wonderful world and recording the beauty of God’s hand. My favorite areas are in the Far North because of the untouched beauty and abundance of wildlife. I spend time in twelve different national parks each year along with many days along America’s rivers all for a special sixteen year relationship with a corporate client. I climb all over my beloved Smokies where I live on the edge of the park. I have many projects that involve the scenes and subjects in the Great Smoky Mountains. Many, many days are spent with wildlife of various species.

My great passion is in the world of birds. They fascinate me and teach me and I love to watch birds more than anything else I observe. I read extensively and especially the old writers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition to all of the above, I work a lot at the publishing warehouse, the galleries, and the stock photography business. I like to work because everything that I do reminds me of something positive and wonderful in my life. I am the most transparent and approachable person that I can be. I have no reason to be otherwise. All that I have and all that I am is a gift and I sure am thankful for it.

Ron McConathy
Aronsha Photography (retired)
www.aronsha.zenfolio.com

Ron McConathy has been working in the field of photography for many years. His love of photography began in grade school when he acquired his first camera, a Brownie Hawkeye. Over the years and with many more cameras in his collection, his love of photography evolved into a passion and a full-time endeavor. Ron’s photographs have been featured in numerous fine art shows in the southeast as well as in magazines and in various textbooks and government publications.

Ron’s graduate work in forestry at the University of Washington and the University of Tennessee and a 20-year career in environmental research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory provided a solid foundation for his love of nature and photography. A 24-acre homesite in rural eastern Tennessee managed as a wildlife and natural plant habitat provides him with photographic opportunities literally just beyond his door. He has always loved photographing nature, wildlife, and scenic locations.

Ron is a charter member of the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) and a charter member and past president of the Southern Appalachian Nature Photographers camera club in Knoxville, TN. After his retirement from ORNL in 2000, Ron expanded his photography business interests into wedding, travel, and portrait photography. He continues to teach photography classes for the University of Tennessee Professional and Personal Development photography program (14 years and counting).

In 2014, Ron officially closed his business, Aronsha Photography, but his passion for this art form continues unabated! The difference now is that he can photograph subjects and situations just of his choosing. He and his wife, Sharon, are now giving photography based presentations to retirement homes and camera clubs around East Tennessee and where ever they travel.

Clay Thurston
https://www.claythurston.com

I’ve been photographing wildlife and nature for over 30 years. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world where I’ve been able to record many of nature’s wonderful animals and scenes. Sharing these photos through workshops, programs and art shows keeps me wanting to do it even more.
I enjoy recording the personalities of the animals that I photograph… nature has provided me with many hours of amazement and I feel fortunate that I have been able to witness and photograph it.

For me being able to do photography is as much for therapy as it is for a living.

I now use Digital cameras and lenses from 12mm – 600mm. I do all of my own printing, matting and framing… using only archival inks, papers, mats and framing techniques. I believe that my photographs should be around for many years for people to enjoy.