Richard Jansen: Trees and Other Beautiful Things

March 1-29, 2019
Richard Jansen: Trees and Other Beautiful Things
Opening reception: Friday, March 1, 5:00-9:00 PM
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

There are approximately 100,000 species of trees in the world. It is estimated by NASA from satellite pictures of the earth that there are approximately 3 trillion trees on the earth, which equates to approximately 400 trees for every human. Trees are often taken for granted and overlooked for their beauty and grandeur. Multiple poems have been written about trees, with one of the most famous by Joyce Kilmer: “I think I shall never see; A poem as lovely as a tree”. In all their varieties and leafy splendor, trees provide us with a variety of color and designs. It is Richard Jansen’s intent to share some of the magnificent trees he has had the opportunity to photograph during his lifetime.

Born and raised in Kansas, Richard Jansen has resided in Knoxville for the past 21 years. He is a graduate of the University of Washington, Seattle where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree and the University of Colorado, Boulder where he earned his Master of Arts. He is married with five grown children and nine grandchildren. Jansen joined the Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1998. He initially left the Army after Vietnam where he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and Air Medals as a squad leader in the 9th and 25th Infantry Division. He left the military after returning home in 1970, returned to college, and later rejoined the Army as a First Lieutenant in the Army Medical Specialist Corps. His intent was to help wounded Veterans from Vietnam and other military conflicts. He won multiple photography awards while in the Army to include All Army and All Inter-service awards. Jansen has photographed since 1970 after returning from Vietnam. His love for photography helps him bury the scars from that conflict. He is also a published photographer with publications in multiple magazines, calendars and Hallmark cards.