'Soundside' will be among Melinda Fodrie Sutton's new photographs on view tonight in Down Creek Gallery.
‘Soundside’ will be among Melinda Fodrie Sutton’s new photographs on view tonight in Down Creek Gallery.

Oct. 26, 2016

New works by island photographer Melinda Fodrie Sutton will highlight the final Expose Yourself to Art series of artists’ receptions from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight in Down Creek Gallery.

All are welcome to attend.  Music by Raygun Ruby will complement the light hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages.

While Sutton is noted for her vibrant island scenes, the gallery will show some of her recent work focusing on structures and buildings.

Sutton, who with her husband Alan who own Tradewinds Tackle here, began exploring her passion for photography several years ago.

Since then, she has been featured at Down Creek Gallery, several Ocracoke business and restaurants, and in Charleston, S.C, and Chicago, Ill.

For the last three years, Sutton’s camera has focused on the ever-changing island landscape.

“I love walking and taking pictures,” she said. “I see the world differently.” 

So began her therapeutic “walk-about” period–10,000 steps a day with her iPhone camera in her pocket.  Photo sharing on Facebook led to enthusiastic feedback from friends liking this new direction. 

Encouraged to pursue photography more seriously, she enrolled in a four-week class in landscape photography at the University of South Carolina, Charleston.

“There are many things I want to do creatively, and I want to travel and see other countries and cultures,” she said.

This year, Sutton embarked on new subject matter in structural images.  She will feature both framed and unframed pieces, many of which are black-and-white.

staples-telephone-pole-chapel-hill Melinda Sutton
This photo of staples at a construction site in Chapel Hill is among the new works by Melinda Fodrie Sutton.
Previous articleOcracoke events Oct. 26 to 31
Next articleDredging Hatteras Inlet to begin Monday