The Stones of the Carrizo Plain

The Carrizo Plain in eastern San Luis Obispo County in Central California is remote grassland with remarkable sandstone outcroppings. For centuries these stones were used as shelter for the local Chumash tribe. Painted Rock, one of the most famous stones, still retains remnants of Chumash paintings. I have photographed extensively in this amazing place over the years. My “Videoglyph” project was in part inspired by the locale and the actual rock art I discovered.  The sandstone outcroppings and monoliths are endlessly fascinating and evocative. I find this area remarkably similar in feeling to New Mexico, the “land of enchantment,” where I lived while attending graduate school in the late 1970’s. The photographs in this series are simple descriptions, which I attempted to imbue with the love I feel for this site of natural wonders.