Kentucky Commission

The salubrious holler hills of Eastern Kentucky gave me the history I was after. Along the Banks of the Ohio, I found the residential peace and charm of life at home.  In the far Western section of the state, I discovered the open wounds of lives torn apart by a tornado. These images were created during the month of April 2022 upon being commissioned by the Kentucky Documentary Photo Project to travel the state. Working on a County by County basis using my large format 8x10" inch camera, the commission grew in personal meaning as I traveled the State.  Wherever I went, the landscape and its people opened up to my camera. 

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The Wall, Laurel County, KentuckyFlanked by trees, The Wall is seen in Laurel County, Kentucky, under clear blue skies.

The Wall, Laurel County, Kentucky

Flanked by trees, The Wall is seen in Laurel County, Kentucky, under clear blue skies.

Ohio River Overlook, Meade County, Kentucky

A grandmother and granddaughter are seen in their backyard overlooking the Ohio River in Brandenburg, Kentucky.

Freeman Back, Breathitt County, Kentucky

92 year old Freeman Back, owner of Paul's Motel, in Jackson, Kentucky.

Skeleton

Green Barn, Cumberland County, Kentucky

A barn is seen among the tracery of vines and greenery in Burkesville, Kentucky.

Danny and his Dog, Woodbine, Kentucky

John Sanderson Trailer Moonrise, Kentucky 2.jpg

Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky

A storefront display of wooden building miniatures is seen in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

Clayton, Jefferson County, Kentucky

Lennox is seen here in Louisville, KY

Damaged Tree, Caldwell County, Kentucky

A tree stands alongside the road in Caldwell County.

Jimmy, Caldwell County, Kentucky

Jimmy Kosko sits among his ruined house near Princeton, Kentucky.

Tornado Damage, Marshall County, Kentucky

A forest destroyed by the tornado of December 2021 are seen in Marshall County.

The Rustin Gang, Princeton, Kentucky

Silos, Caldwell County, Kentucky

Caldwell County Agriculture

Self-Portrait, Corbin County, Kentucky

Returning East

Houses, Wall and Tracks, Fayette County, Kentucky

A view overlooking Lexington, Kentucky. A wall separates the rail yard from recently constructed houses.

Gillian, Fayette County, Kentucky

Gillian is seen here in Lexington, Kentucky. She is originally from Ohio and is homeless. I met her under a bridge near railroad tracks in Fayette County, near Lexington.

Sassafras Tree, Daviess County, Kentucky

Two people admire the historic Sassafras tree in Owensboro, Kentucky. The largest known Sassafras tree in the world, approximately 300 years old. The tree measures over 100 feet tall and 21 feet in circumference.

Adkins Drive, Morgan County, Kentucky

A house with its owner near the garage in Morgan County.

Chief Haag Brings the News, Brandenburg, Ohio

Chief Haag brings the news, Brandenburg, Ohio

Quarry at Dusk, Meade County, Kentucky

A view of a quarry in Meade County, Kentucky.

Daybreak, Harlan County, Kentucky

A church and railroad tracks are seen at dawn in Harlan County, Kentucky.

Man with pickup, Sanderson, Kentucky

Paislee at Street Fair, Henderson County, Kentucky

Paislee is seen at a street fair in Henderson, Kentucky.

Tunnel, Harlan County, Kentucky

Train Tunnel

Four Kids from Ohio, Henderson, Kentucky

Four Kids from Ohio visited Kentucky for the day to attend the annual street fair in Downtown Henderson.

King's Cement Mixer, Wolfe County, Kentucky

A cement mixer belonging to Gary King sits alongside the road.

King Crete, Wolfe County, Kentucky

Gary King of Wolfe County, Kentucky. Gary runs several businesses including wrecking, concrete and drilling.

Heigold House, Jefferson County, Kentucky

This 19th century mansion façade adorned with immigrant patriotism is a symbol of Louisville's history.

Lincoln, Floyd County, Kentucky

A statue of Abraham Lincoln at Middle Creek Battlefield in Floyd County, Kentucky.

The Night Watch, Ezel, Kentucky

Early Morning, Cumberland County, Kentucky

A house is seen at dusk in Waterview, Kentucky.

Boy with Go-Kart, Lyon County, Kentucky

Family and boy with Go-Kart

Christ's Hands, Harlan County, Kentucky

This is a view of Harlan, Kentucky.

Coalgood, Harlan County, Kentucky

A footbridge stretching over railroad tracks is seen alongside the church in the hamlet of Mary Helen, Kentucky.

Clearing Storm, Ballard County, Kentucky

A white building is seen infront of a tree among the farmlands of Ballard County, Kentucky.

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Cherub, Hart County, Kentucky

Heading North, Wolfe County, Kentucky

Wolfe County Highlands

The Wolves, Wolfe County, Kentucky

The Wolfe County High school Baseball Team

General Patton, Meade County, Kentucky

Portrait of General George S. Patton