Timothy Blomquist’s photographic journey began in Sarasota, Florida, where he was born in 1960.  His father, a NASA electrical engineer, handed him a late-1950’s Argus C44 35mm camera when Timothy was just six years old.  After receiving instructions on how to use the camera, he took his first photograph – a picture of downtown Sarasota.  This marked the start of his creative path.

In 1969, his family moved to Southern California.  The California vibe inspired him to purchase a well-used secondhand 8mm movie camera at 12 years old, where he documented the counterculture world around him in film and photographs.  Later, Timothy would pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona in Tucson.  During his time at the University, he studied under Harold Jones, the founding director of the Center for Creative Photography.  There he had an opportunity in 1980 to photograph alongside artist-in-residence, William Larson, who was working on his “Tucson Gardens” project.  Additionally, he met the renowned LIFE Magazine photojournalist, W. Eugene Smith.  Both contacts further solidified his interest in documentary photography.

It was also during this period that he viewed an on-campus exhibition of Santa Fe photographer, William Clift.  His work sparked Blomquist’s fascination with the large-print capabilities of the 4×5 and 8×10 view camera. Most recently he has been using ultra-high resolution medium format digital cameras.

Except for his earliest work, Blomquist shoots exclusively in color.  He describes himself as someone who “thinks in color and dreams in color”.  Influenced by his engineer father, his compositions show a keen sense of balance and symmetry.  His documentary approach is classic straight photography but previsualizing the final image before even using the camera. He rejects the pictorialism style in his work.   Many photos are environmental portraits, featuring people in spaces that define their identities.  Blomquist has always said:

“I like to take the ordinary person or thing and elevate it to something interesting.  I find subjects most would overlook”

A social observer, Blomquist is drawn to humor, compassion, and the complexities of daily life.  He looks for ironic juxtapositions and layered scenes that raise questions rather than provide answers.  His subjects range from the landscapes, cities and small towns of New Mexico to communities nationwide.  Though he has worked internationally, the wide-open spaces of northwestern New Mexico’s Four Corners region he has called home for over 30 years.

Selected Publications
1981 – Persona Magazine, University of Arizona, Tucson

Selected Group Exhibitions
1992 – “Fall Art Show 1992”, San Juan College, Farmington, New Mexico