The shadows of trees on Wizard Island being cast in direct light shining on Crater Lake, Oregon. This is the fourth photo from...

This Too Shall Pass

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

The shadows of trees on Wizard Island being cast in direct light shining on Crater Lake, Oregon.

This is the fourth photo from my 2014 artist-in-residency appointment at Crater Lake National Park.

I've been sitting on this one for quite a while. Between a very long creative drought which kept me from processing it, and also a lengthy bought of writer’s block which kept me from figuring out what to say, I just didn't feel that it was the right time to show it to anyone.

I have to be honest here. I've been in a pretty deep emotional and mental rut lately and I can't figure out why. It's a sense of emptiness and discontent and I just go through the motions of day to day life hoping that I can find a way to break out along the way. I go into 'hermit mode', retreating away from even my closest friends and most personal interactions while I spend way too much time in deep thought about my frustrations and how they are keeping me from reaching my goals. It's a slippery slope between using those thoughts to push myself forward and getting caught up in the whirlpool that drags me down. This isn't a complaint or cry for help and advice. It's just part of my personality and a result of my neglect in maintaining my 'spiritual battery'.

Maybe I'm different than most people, but I'm the type of person that needs to remember what lurks in the shadows so that I can better bask in the light. The problem is that it's easy for me to be drawn into those shadows deep enough that the light isn't even visible. And that's where I've been for the past couple of months. I isolate. I get very quiet. I think I do those things because I'm in such a negative space and I use the distance and quiet as a shield to protect the people around me.

But I've been working hard on coming out of this space. Exercising, remembering the things that I need to be grateful for and focusing on those, setting incremental goals, and keeping my eyes on the shore while I tread water are the things that are helping me move forward. Sometimes talking with other people who are also in the shadows provides some context for me. It forces me to remember the light because I'm trying to get them to see it. I start to think back on the beauty that I've witnessed and the experiences that are still out there to be had... if only I... we... reach and work for them. Mornings like the one where I took this photo are moments to be cherished: Experiencing the beginning of the day on the rim of Crater Lake during a cold October morning where I was seemingly the only person in the park, watching the sunlight dance on the rippling water and feeling it on my face with the only sounds being the wind in the trees and the clicking of my shutter. Those moments are out these for all of us. It's such a beautiful world out there.

And so as I write this, I start to tread the line between the shadows and the light. I can feel the warmth and appreciation starting to permeate those dark areas of my soul. I actually have goosebumps as I type this sentence and that tells me that I'm on the way up. I'll still be pretty quiet and distant while I emerge from the shadows, but I know that it's pretty damn bright where I'm going. In the long haul... everything is going to be alright.

Keep your chin up. Photo © copyright by TJ Thorne.


Artist Studio Print • Ready to Frame

This Too Shall Pass 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

Related Galleries: 2016, Intimates and Small Scenes