Through a Different Lens: Wayne Richardson Turns Everyday Images into Art
By Diane Danen
For New Hamburg’s Wayne Richardson, photography has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. Like many people, his early photographs focused on family, friends and the places he travelled. Over the years, photography became a way for him to see the world through texture, form, shape and colour.
Richardson is sharing his work with the local community through his first month-long solo exhibition. His fine art photography is on display at the Belvedere Gallery at Castle Kilbride in Baden, with the exhibition running until Oct. 4, 2026. With only a few days left, visitors still have a chance to stop by and take in his work. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Richardson’s years in the trucking industry gave him plenty of opportunities to take photographs, although most of his early pictures were mainly of the trucks he drove. He never received formal training in photography, but a friend who was a freelance commercial artist encouraged him to explore his natural eye for composition and his interest in abstract images. That encouragement helped Richardson see his photographs in a new way and recognize the artistic qualities he had previously overlooked.
His interest in photography grew as his travels expanded. In 1994, Richardson took his camera with him while visiting his daughter in Japan. He considers some of the photographs from that trip to be the beginning of a creative and artistic sense that would continue to develop over the years.
Travel took him to many places, including Scotland and Wales, Italy, Nova Scotia and the Bahamas. He also travelled along the Intracoastal Waterway on the eastern coast of the United States, venturing as far south as the Florida Keys.
Richardson’s journey as a photographer took a turn after a trip to Tuscany, Italy, in 2006. He had taken a colourful photograph of terracotta roof tiles and decided to have the digital image printed on canvas. The result, however, was disappointing.
“The printed result was very disappointing as colours were not vibrant and the whole feel of the original picture was gone,” he recalled.
With his background in the trucking industry, Richardson was familiar with vinyl, which is commonly used for vehicle identification, wraps and signage. He knew the material was designed to withstand sunlight, weather and everyday wear. He took his image to one of the industry suppliers he had worked with and asked to see it printed on vinyl.
The result was exactly what he had been looking for. The vibrant colours, sharpness and character of the original photograph had been retained. The printer then suggested mounting the digital image printed on vinyl onto a coated aluminum plate.
Richardson found the process to be lightweight, weather-resistant and cost-effective. He has been using this process for his photographs ever since.
Richardson said that while seeing his work displayed in exhibitions has been rewarding, the recognition and encouragement he has received from fellow artists has been especially meaningful.
“It’s special to me,” he said, “having other artists express their acceptance and appreciation of my photographic artwork.”
The month-long solo exhibition has given Richardson an opportunity to share his photography with the local community and offer visitors a glimpse into the way he sees the world.
With only a few days left to see the exhibition, Richardson is inviting area residents who haven’t yet had a chance to visit to stop by the gallery and experience his work for themselves.
“Come, see and enjoy what I have put my heart, eye and energy into,” he said.
MIRTHIN PHOTO ART is available online at mirthinphotoart.com.
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