Blue News/Random Selections is a series I started in 1984 while working with Jerry Burchfield and Mark Chamberlain at BC Space Gallery. I was developing my skills as a master Cibachrome (Ilfochrome) printer and was fortunate to meet Robert Heinecken (1931 – May 19, 2006) who was in the process of creating a series on American news television anchors that involved photographing images from the screen. During the many discussions about the impact of television, and news broadcasts on the development of social-political positions, I kept reflecting on a quote from Groucho Marx: “Television is the opiate of modern society”. Inspired by Robert’s “Newswomen Corresponding” series which I was in charge of printing for him, I began exploring my own approach to the inter-relationship of randomly captured news images and children’s cartoons (Warner Brother’s Looney Toons) captured by photographing an old black and white TV screen on Ektachrome film which resulted in an eerie blue toned result. The images of current events are juxtaposed with the absurdity of cartoons to create a new visual narrative that addressed a variety of themes including the ending of the Cold War, The Chernobyl Meltdown, The Iran-Contra Affair, and many other events of the period.

The primary group of 16 triptych pieces was produced between from 1984 - 1992. Since 1992, I have continued to collect imagery and create new works in the series. Originally printed on Ilfochrome paper (now discontinued) there is one set of the full series remaining on that material. Two new pieces have been added in 2025 printed digitally. The series is available for exhibition loan. If you wish to purchase a print, please visit my shop or send a message via the contact form.