Another one of our New Directions 09 submissions, Dave Jordano’s images tell the story of Prarieland.

Reaching into his backyard, Dave looks at the rural environments of Illinois, finding the unanticipated culture on the edge of a major metropolitan area. Quirky, full of life and eccentricities, or certainly a life so different from what most of us see or live, Dave shows us a slice of ourselves we don’t often see, or know exists.

Dave makes a living as a commercial photographer, and his fine art work reflects his desire to showcase who we are, with sensitivity, humor and vibrant color. He is a 2008 Top 50 Critical Mass winner, and Prarieland will be shown at the Silver Eye Center for Photography in Pittsburgh, PA this year.

I was honored to see his name in our submissions for ND09, and while he may not have fit George’s list, his work certainly made mine.