Molly Kraybill

"Photographs"

The January-February 2012 Parrot Gallery exhibit, opening First Friday, January  6^, 5-9 p.m., is a collection of photographs  by Molly Kraybill dedicated to the colors, people, and experiences that have given her meaning and inspiration in life.

Molly has always been interested in visual imagery--in how photographs can capture emotions and tell stories without words.

“I remember looking through a photography book as a child and being mesmerized by the photograph of a Vietnamese girl running naked down the road, severely burned after a South Vietnamese napalm attack. The power of that photograph moved something inside of me.  Ever since, I have been fascinated by the art of photography and have wanted to create my own images.”

She adds, “I see my camera as an extension of myself. It is the way that I try to make meaning of reality and capture the things that I find beautiful, and tough in the world. When I lived in Lesotho this past spring, I found that my camera was the most useful tool in connecting with the people there. Every time I took a photo of a child and showed it to them on my camera screen, I felt like I was giving them a gift.”

Molly is excited to further develop her skills as she continues studying photography at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. 

"Evening Space, West Virginia"