Jim Fossett is a person I have admired for a long time and hoped to visit upon these pages eventually. This summer I got a quick chance to say hi during one of his visits home to Boothbay Harbor with family. It’s a little challenging to catch up with Jim as he covers a lot of ground.

In the photo I have shared, Jim and his family pup Otis have taken a moment on his folks' porch situated near the head of Boothbay Harbor. Otis, as you can see, was not particularly impressed with our chat --- he, like Jim, keeps busy. I think he may be a bit of a terrier, I can't recall exactly. Otis is named for Otis Dow, an old time local character who Jim knew growing up. He was a curious soul who I remember but never met. John Druce suggested that I do a little research about Otis and his wheelbarrow racoon. John has actually written some about Otis and has shared his impressions with me. A future subject perhaps.

Jim Fossett has forgotten more about photography than I will ever know. He studied photography. He has worked as a staff photographer at several newspapers. He has degrees. He has been a photo editor and he now teaches photography at CUNY, New Paltz, with his wife who is also very knowledgeable and well studied. Jim can talk with you about view cameras that he still uses and teaches about, along with the traditional darkroom film experience. He is also wildly informed about the new digital equipment that has taken over the world. I am in awe of his knowledge.

Jim and his wife Suzanne have traveled extensively presenting their cutting edge art. They have shared their creativity right here in River City at the Opera House and have have also presented in Reykjavik, Iceland, and South Africa. More shows are in the works.

Jim comes from a family of great seafarers. Although Jim chose not to follow that family tradition, he did have a skiff and he has well documented life along these shores.

One of my favorite Jim images is of Evered Trask poised aboard his lobster boat. You can almost hear Evered's voice chirping, “Blooo berry. Ol' Bloo.”

More can be learned about this fine fellow on his website at www.jamesfossett.com

I'm glad he didn't go fishing.