Tom Kretsch "Water Moods": Photography by Tom Kretsch Westport photographer Tom Kretsch shares a powerful personal and artistic inspiration drawn from his longstanding affinity for the Canadian Maritime region in his current exhibition of photography titled "Water Moods," continuing through March 10 in the Good News Cafe Radio Room. Kretsch, a retired elementary school teacher whose photographic work has captured the natural beauty and sense of peace in landscapes, villages and personal vignettes across the Americas, Europe and Latin America, focuses his lens on the Canadian Maritime provinces of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and Quebec's Madeleine Islands in his new show at Good News Cafe. He explained that he offers his works in an effort to "convey feelings of a soft, soothing and peaceful nature," and perhaps to encourage the viewer to discover the natural wonders of the Canadian Maritime. During a series of visits to the region, he noted, "I have gathered a collection of images that reflect for me the connection of living in close proximity to the water in this beautiful part of the world. The landscape, the architecture and the closeness to the water create a mood that beckons one to enter. "Wandering along the water's edge down unknown roads has led me to magical places where my eyes visualized images that could capture the spirit of this special part of Canada," he observed. Kretsch's photographic works have earned "Best in Show" awards at the Trumbull Arts Festival and the Wecon Quad Show, first place in an exhibition at the Rowayton Arts Center, and additional honors at the Wilton Arts Council show and the Mavis Fenner Memorial Show in Rowayton. He has staged previous solo exhibitions in Westport, Norwalk, Trumbull and Newtown, and his works are featured in permanent collections throughout Connecticut. Kretsch explained that his extensive photographic portfolio spanning the world from Tuscany to Mexico provides images taken with a view toward encouraging personal peace. "My work depicts calm and soothing images," he noted. "Through the thoughtful use of light, color, texture, shape and form, I have created visions that evoke a pleasing atmosphere for work, thought, reflection and relaxation."