Sunlight peeks through the trees on a spring day at Starvation Falls in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. I am releasing this...

One Day At A Time

Starvation Falls - Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Sunlight peeks through the trees on a spring day at Starvation Falls in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.

I am releasing this image on a bittersweet day.  And I'm about to pour a little bit of my heart out here.

Four years ago to this day, September 24th, I celebrated my first day of freedom from alcohol. This fact isn't something that I advertise about my life, but it's not something I'm ashamed of either. It's a part of me and it's something that I deal with every single day.

These anniversaries are hard. It's not just the celebration of a new direction in life, but also a distinct remembrance of the events that  led me to where I am. I hurt my friends and family, I compromised the lives of those around me, I let people down, I jeopardize the safety of my son,  and I felt the guilt about it all every.. single.. day. The guilt made me drink more. Even when I wanted nothing more in the world than to NOT drink.. I still did. It was a never ending cycle. The deeper I dug my hole, the colder and darker it got, the lonelier I became, and the farther a hope of escape seemed... and so.. the more I drank.

I tried everything in my power to stop.. or to at least lessen the damage I was causing: I tried drinking only beer, I tried to drink only when I wasn't caring for my son, I tried to drink only socially, I tried to drink only on weekends, only on even days.. then only on odd days, I tried to not buy alcohol on my way home from work, I tried to put the money I would spend on alcohol into a savings account for my son whenever I felt the urge, and I tried to quit FOR my son. Afterall.. I thought my love for him was the strongest thing in my life. I was wrong.

Alcohol was the strongest thing in my life.

I wasn't able to get sober until I realized that I had to stop fighting. I had to surrender. I had to be willing to do whatever it took to get clean. That meant that I had to find something bigger than myself that I could believe in.  For me... it's Mother Earth. It's nature.

This is a major reason why I am so profoundly connected to the beauty around me. It's where I got sober. In my early days I needed to find something to occupy my mind.. to distract. I hiked 5-6 days a week.. as often as I could. I hiked long, steep, ass-kicking trails. I dunked my feet in the waters, I drenched myself in the rains, and I threw my arms up at the vistas. I released.. I absorbed. I lived.

Life hasn't gotten 'better' in the past four years. In fact it's been the hardest four years of my life. But now I get to wake up every single day and try to be the best person I can be.  I surround myself with people and things that build me up instead of tear me down and I try to do that for others. I get to hold my girlfriend's hand. I get to run my fingers through my son's hair. I get to wake up for sunrise and stay up for sunset.

I get to live.

One day.. one minute.. at a time. Photo © copyright by TJ Thorne.


Artist Studio Print • Ready to Frame

One Day At A Time print

As an independent artist, I take immense pride in personally overseeing my entire creative process, from capturing the images to meticulously crafting the final prints. This hands-on approach enables me to present my work in the most authentic and exceptional manner possible, ensuring that each print meets the standards of my artistic vision. By choosing an Artist Studio Print, you not only acquire a piece of art but also invest in the dedication and passion that goes into every photograph that I create.

  • Hand-printed in my studio for utmost attention to detail.
  • Printed on heavy-weight, cotton-based, archival Canson Infinity paper using pigment-based inks.
  • Quickest turn-around time.

Please note that these prints require framing before display. I am happy to work with you on your framing needs. Please contact me to do so. For ready-to-hang options, please consider my Lumachrome Acrylic Face Mounted or Chromaluxe Metal Prints.

Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.

Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.


Please allow 1-3 weeks for production and delivery.


Select a print size:

Lumachrome Fine Art Prints • Acrylic Face-Mounted and Ready to Hang

Lumachrome Fine Art Prints • Acrylic Face-Mounted and Ready to Hang

Premium Fine Art Lumachrome Prints are the epitome of elegance and quality. By face mounting the print to 1/8" thick scratch-resistant, non-reflective crystal clear acrylic and backing it with a protective surface and a 1.3" rear mounted frame, the print seemingly floats from the wall.

The proprietary Lumachrome process in combination with the acrylic facing gives a depth, dimensionality, and glow to the image which is unmatched and needs to be seen to believed. These pieces are museum quality, absolutely stunning, and truly a collectors piece.

Premium Fine Art Lumachrome Prints are ideal for galleries or private homes and with the proper lighting will take on a luminance that brings the photo to life. While these ready-to-hang pieces offer a modern, sleek, and clean appearance, traditional framing is also available and can be discussed one-on-one to pick the most appropriate frame for your piece.

Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.

Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.


Please allow 2-4 weeks for production and delivery.


Select a print size:

Chromaluxe Fine Art Metal Prints • Ready to Hang

Chromaluxe Fine Art Metal Prints • Ready to Hang

If you are looking for a piece that combines durability with a modern and elegant look, I offer Premium Fine Art Metal Prints. Using a state-of-the-art process, the image is infused directly into the surface of specially coated aluminum which creates a scratch and fade resistant piece that is ready to hang without a frame.

Metal prints contain a tremendous amount of depth, detail, and sharpness that will be sure to draw the viewer in. Since the image is fused directly into the aluminum, the resulting piece is scratch and water resistant and will resist fading or yellowing over time while at the same time being easy to clean. These are the ideal for offices and public spaces due to their durability.

Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.

Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.


Please allow 2-4 weeks for production and delivery.


Select a print size:

Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, please visit my Prints Page

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