Moments of Solitude
In a highly complex world that vigorously moves at a rapid pace, Mellis seeks to slow his mind down and move closer to a higher level of artistic engagement to the finer details of life that matter. And then move away and thus leave behind the things that don't.
The large format 8x10 view camera not only assists him with his artistic process in slowing down, but it also pushes him to view the world with a very different perspective. This past January 2016 he traveled to Vancouver Island for several days with his 8x10 view camera and took a long walk in one of their many flourishing rain forests to investigate the finer details of the forest; the smaller elements that he (and many other’s) often take for granted. These are the finer elements of the forest that make up the larger highly complex eco system. More than just singular images of leaves and branches, these images (within concert) represent the importance of slowing down one's mind, to feel more emotionally grounded and more importantly, more personally engaged to the things around you.