Comment on Former teacher shares color photos in Capitol exhibit

By John Brandenburg  For The Oklahoman An artist offers us straight color photographs, “Straight from the Heart,” in a show at the state Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd. The artist, Martha Burger, whose work is in the North Gallery, is a former teacher and school principal in Duncan, where she has lived since 1970. Burger was also an associate professor at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, before retiring to devote more time to photography. The top of a “Majestic” dead tree, with roots in the foreground, points across a scenic lake, reflecting mountains, in one of many fine nature photos. Others portray people and a horse enjoying shallow waters in the “Great Sand Dunes National Park,” and formations that look a little like “Praying Hands.” Birds and animals also supply inspiration, whether it’s a big-eyed frog, “Waiting for a Prince,” a sunlit buffalo, or a waterbird who’s “Got My Eye on You.” Capturing the allure of old objects and places are her photos of a “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” crossing a rusted bridge, and of a “Retired” truck in a field. Eye-pleasing, too, are pictures of a large lunar orb in “Good Morning Moon,” and of a lineup of motley, multicolored rural mailboxes in “You’ve Got Mail.” A delicate flower branch in the foreground upstages a distant white monument on a “Mauve Morning in the Tidal Basin” in another excellent photograph. Even more spectacular is her picture of a massive, blue-hued, horizontal cloud, over a strip of orange sky, heralding “Spring in Oklahoma.” Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council, her show is well worth visiting during its run through Aug.Read more on NewsOK.com