If I have any kind of bizarre crook to my back, I would guess it's from carrying around various photography and video equipment from an early age. Sure, mostly I'm known as a writer, but I've always loved what I would call the visual arts as well. My first great odyssey as a photographer came when I went to Europe for the first time in 1985; my personal favorite is from an excursion into Pére Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, where I photographed Jim Morrison's tombstone. Well, this is how it looked on an overcast August day in 1987--I imagine it's even more decorated by now. What you might conclude from this photograph is that Morrison's grave is a sort of pilgrimmage site for people around the world, seeking some connection with the Lizard King--the shaman.

OtherSide Images is a project I've been thinking over for a long time and I am finally bringing to fruition. What exactly are these pictures of, anyway? What am I up to? Well, you could say that these are images of a spiritual nature--an alternative spiritual nature to be sure. These are representations of ways humanity tries to bridge the gulf between the mortal and the eternal. You can call it Paganism or Witchcraft or Vodoun or folk magic or just plain silliness if you want. Obviously I had a purpose in mind when I shot each image, but I don't want that purpose to affect how you see these things. I leave the interpretation up to you.

As for what's IN the images, I think it's safe to say that pretty much anyone with an open mind should be able to view them without taking offense. These are of an "occult" nature, and there are a few skulls and skeletons here and there, but I don't think there's anything particularly frightening (nor pornographic, I should add). Of course there are people who will explode at anything more vibrant than a homemaker's magazine, but then I can't imagine how said people would have gotten to Electric Apocalypse in the first place. I would like to state for everyone's edification that my husband and I are not the neighborhood outcasts--eccentric, very definitely, and certainly a little weird, but by no means ostracized. We have a good community where we're friends with our neighbors and adored by the kids. My point is that while our (my) tastes may be a little strange, our hearts are in the right place. All of these images were taken in my own house, using my own treasure hoarde to create various tableaux. My advice to everyone and everyone is be yourself and be true to yourself, because if you're happy with who you are, the rest of the world will fall in with you.

I hope you enjoy a cyberstroll through this gallery. I will be adding more images to OtherSide as I am inspired and as they are made.

Let me point out that most of these images are very large and will require a bit of patience on your part as they download. Normally I optimize graphics for rapid download, but in this case I took a little creative license (this made my husband groan in mental agony, but hey, my artwork, my judgement--even if it's bad--and besides, I can always put up smaller versions later). In addition, I don't believe in putting up my work and then whining and yelling about how I will strike down anyone who dares to copy it and use it for themselves. I don't even mind if you scale the images to suit your personal needs. As a token of appreciation, however, I do ask that you credit myself (Emilie Conroy) as the photographer and include a link back to this page (http://www.electricapocalypse.com/otherside) somewhere on your site.

Anyway...