2007-02-24T22:10:00.074-05:00

Three Sisters, 2011

Christina and Baby, 2011

Kristie, 2011

Dwayne and Family, 2011

Mark, Root Digger, 2011

Lloyd Dean's Last Photo, 2011,

[with grandson William]

Eddie in Living Room, '10

Click on Images to Enlarge.

Tanner, Mom and Granny, '10

Dewey with Banjo, '10

Martha and Kizzie with Recycled Water Bottles, '09

Tammy in Culvert, '08

Children with Blind Horse,'08

Dillon, Oct. '07
Standing in front of Great Grandfathers Civil War saddle.
Mallie, Ky.

Belinda and Martha, Oct. '07
[Mother & Daughter]

Girl's in Onion Patch, '04

Fess with his Lemo, '09

Vanessa, Oct.'07
[Standing in front of Great Grandmother's Photo]

Leslie, Oct.'07

When you come from the head of the hollers you eventually gravitate to your starting place, to observe the world, find your wholeness, move forward. That world may be inhabited by the shunned and neglected that rumble with contradictions and misunderstandings, but that is your home, the beginnings of your true voice, your vision. Your strength lies within your recognition of the unseen people, the ignored who speak, cry, lament, love and beg you to say - I exist.

Shelby Lee Adams
August 2007

Attention

We need an unprejudiced mind to see what-is; we cannot see what-is and respond to it if the mind is trying to change or suppress it. We resist what-is because we are afraid of the unknown, or because what-is contradicts what we have been conditioned to believe, or because it threatens us. The resulting fear prevents from us accepting what-is. Resistance to what-is may look like strength, but actually arises from fear, whereas it is powerful and freeing to accept what-is.

Surrender means allowing life to happen rather than opposing the flow of life, accepting the present moment without resistance. The necessary action will then arise, but when we act out of acceptance rather than resistance, we act without negativity or judgment. Action that arises out of acceptance is different from action that arises out of rage and hatred. Action that arises from a state of surrender is less contaminated with judgment and the need to hurt others. We simply do what needs to be done without labeling the situation as good or bad according to the ego’s criteria.

Lionel Corbett
Psyche and Sacred

Adam Dean with Horse and Bike, '07

Natasha, '03

Jeffrey and Adam,'04

William Petrey, tobacco farmer, '07

Sheba Asleep, '07

Cody and swimming pool, '07

Wasp, 05

Wasp, '10

Willie Sr. & Wille Jr. '03

Violet, '05

Teresa & Family, '03

Rosa Lee with Family & TV, '06

Ester, Oma Jean & Baby, '06

Coon Creek, '03

Beehive Racks, '04

Billy Ray, '03

Brenda, '04

James & Clapper, '06

Halloween Twins, '06

Amanda with Dolls,'02

Frankie with Shucky Beans

Charity Baby, '06

The Purse, '05

Lawrence's Porch, '06

Lloyd Dean with Family & Coal Truck, '02

Lloyd Dean with Grandson's and pool table, '06

Robbie & Tyler on Wrecker, '03

Stephanie & Brittany, '06

Jimmy's Mantel, '08

Barwick, '03

Dan, Krissy & Leddie, '93

Eagle's Nest, '04

Eagle's Nest, '08

Hardburly Porch

John, '06

Alma Gail & Children, '03

Cindy Rena, '04

Mitchel and Dallas,'08

Donnie & Aunt Sally, '04

Hazel & Mimie [twins], '05

Leairon, '05

The Jacobs and Collins Boys, 2003

Big Hort, 2003

Brother Ish, 1994

Troy, '03, [96 years old]

Truth

“The Stories get past on and the truth gets passed over. As the sayin goes. Which I reckon some would take as meanin that the truth cant compete. But I don’t believe that. I think that when the lies are told and forgotten the truth will be there yet. It don’t move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt. You cant corrupt it because that’s what it is. It’s the thing you’re talking about. I’ve heard it compared to the rock-maybe in the bible-and I wouldn’t disagree with that. But it’ll be here even when the rock is gone.”

“You were doin something for folks that couldnt do it for theirselves.”

“I think the truth is always simple. It has pretty much got to be. It needs to be simple enough for a child to understand. Otherwise it’d be too late. By the time you figured it out it would be too late.”

Cormac McCarthy
No Country For Old Men

Louverna,'08

© Shelby Lee Adams, 2010-12

All photographs and text copyrighted - © 2009-12 Shelby Lee Adams, legal action will be taken to represent the photographer, the work taken out of context, subjects and integrity of all photographic and written works, including additional photographers published and authors quoted. Permissions - send e mail request with project descriptions.

Shelby Lee Adams - New or Unpublished Work