Shaped by Stone is a collaboration between artist Tom Baskeyfield and photojournalist, George Lipsker. They met while they were both working on two different projects.
Tom was doing a series of underwater photos for an upcoming book entitled Diver Underwater. He happened to be staying at a hotel in Mexico, and invited George up for dinner. Tom liked the fact that George took lots of pictures, which he thought was fascinating.
After his trip to Mexico, Tom decided to continue the series but was not comfortable with the idea of having a Chilean photographer working on his photos. George agreed to stay behind and take Tom’s work. The next time they met, Tom suggested he join him for a cruise.
In the fall of 2020, they met in Hawaii on a cruise liner. It was a beautiful day, and after their first day together, Tom had a revelation. “It was late in the afternoon when I realized I had a connection with the character and the theme of the art,” Tom wrote in an article for the Huffington Post.
When they met, Tom knew that he wanted to meet George. George was also blown away by the similarities between his photos and those of Tom. “I just felt like I had known this very young photographer since we were kids,” George said. Tom’s voice quivered as he said, “But the point I was trying to make to myself was, he was being honest about who he was. It was a sad realization that for all his confusion, he was holding himself back.”
Tom then realized that he could use these pictures to help the younger generation. He believes that photography has a direct impact on the world around us. He learned from this experience that it takes a human being to create the art of art.
After the first meeting with Tom, George was determined to find out what inspired Tom’s photos. He set out to try to find inspiration through writing and film. It helped him to see the connection between the subjects of his photos and the people of Mexico. He used this experience to realize that art is not always about something, but rather how we live our lives.
After talking to Tom, George came up with a model for his images called “Shapes by Stone.” The term was inspired by the work of Georgia O’Keeffe, which is why Tom’s work often has circles in them. George learned from Tom that the truth can be more powerful than art.
“The truth is more powerful than art because it’s true, and truth is powerful because it’s true, and that’s it,” George said. Tom’s photos are true. While other artists may view them, they cannot capture the truth.
“Shapes by Stone” is a book where the photographs have no color. So George wrote the book to give people a simple glimpse into the lives of many people. It can be understood by anyone and gives insight into the true nature of art and life.
Baskeyfield says that he has taken pictures of children, animals, and even an elephant. He has learned about the reality that many people do not want to admit. It is a difficult journey to go through life knowing the truth and the strength to face it.
“The Truth About Art: How To See, Experience, And Understand The Power Of The Art World” is available now. His photos can be seen at stone.tombaskeyfield.com