OPENING FEB 25TH ART COMPETITION LOVE/DESIRE GUEST JUDGES, PAINTER DAVID JON KASSAN, PHOTOGRAPHER ANTHONY ALMEIDA, & PHOTOGRAPHER GARY HELLER.

Gary Heller, Photographer

Gary was born in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Brooklyn, New York where he currently resides. At an early age his creative spark was kindled by his mother Eleanor, who is an artist. As a young boy, he can remember sitting by her side as she worked on her paintings. She would explain to him the how and why of what it was she was doing.

Throughout the years he spent countless hours drawing, painting, model building, designing and crafting furniture, playing guitar in clubs and attending New York Technical College and trade schools. His interest in the technical aspect of things was apparent.

Gary's photography has often been described by his peers with such adjectives as "unusual," "dark," "foreboding," "unique”. A fellow photographer and friend has used the term "pleasantly strange". That description sums it up best for him as he strives for strange, yet pleasing compositions. He is active in discussions and forums, shows and exhibitions and is recognized by his peers as having a unique style and eye for composition. He has been a featured artist and guest judge at Gallery 364 as well as being a Featured Artist in the summer group show of 2007 (BIG) put on by the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition. His works have also taken "Best in Show" at various juried competitions.
Garys photography of barns has earned him a Grand Prize in the Historical Ithacas 2009 barn survey competition. His New York Water Towers are featured in the Warner Bros epic television series "V" on the ABC television network. He is currently a spokesperson and "Artist in Residence" for the Kim Crawford Wines Artist lounge program.

Photography enables him to combine his interests and love of the technical side of the craft with his passions for creativity and expression.

Gary is a self-taught photographer and finds the medium to best fit his needs and vision. www.garyheller.com