Roxanne McCann is a true renaissance woman—but not in the usual sense of that term. A native of San Francisco, California, McCann received a degree in Classics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, after spending a year abroad at the Stanford campus in Rome. There she was deeply influenced by what would become her favorite period in art history, the Renaissance. The effect of that year is very much apparent in her photography today.
Roxanne McCann is a true renaissance woman—but not in the usual sense of that term. A native of San Francisco, California, McCann received a degree in Classics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, after spending a year abroad at the Stanford campus in Rome. There she was deeply influenced by what would become her favorite period in art history, the Renaissance. The effect of that year is very much apparent in her photography today. The influence of artist Carvaggio’s use of chiaroscuro and sculptor Bernini’s ability to capture a moment are evident in McCann’s Ancestral Traditions photo collection. Each image was shot using only available light—a spotlight, fire, or sunbeam. The naturalistic effect is further enhanced by McCann’s mastery of advanced darkroom techniques to print her custom gelatin silver limited edition photographs.
Since the 1990s McCann has turned to shooting the Islands and the people who make up Hawai‘i’s rich culture. “It is a joy to photograph people and be able to show their beauty to them. There is nothing more rewarding than a smile on the face of someone who is happy with my work,” says McCann.
To see more of McCann’s photography visit her online gallery. Her photography is also available on-line at the Hawaiian Art Network (www.hawaiiart.com) and at her own site www.roxannemccann.com.