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Book details
  • Genre:PHOTOGRAPHY
  • SubGenre:Individual Photographers / Artists' Books
  • Language:English
  • Pages:104
  • Hardcover ISBN:9781667873718

Still Life

The Photographs of Maggie St. Thomas

by Maggie St. Thomas

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Overview

Still Life: The Photographs of Maggie St. Thomas is an exquisite 104-page hardcover art book that showcases four decades of camera work by renowned music and entertainment rock photographer. With a particular focus on her formative years within the underground LA goth culture and Deathrock scene, an art book of 90's photography, cemetery photography and more, this captivating collection takes readers on an immersive visual exploration.

featuring a foreword written by Exene Cervenka.

Description

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Still Life: The Photographs of Maggie St. Thomas. This captivating collection of photographic work transports viewers to mesmerizing live performances and intimate portraits that pulse with raw emotion and artistic expression.

Still Life: The Photographs of Maggie St.Thomas features a foreword written by Exene Cervenka of X, a legendary figure in the music world whose words set the stage for the following captivating visuals. With thought-provoking quotes from artists in the goth and deathrock scene including Rikk Agnew (Adolescents), Gitane Demone (Christian Death), and Eva O. (Shadow Project), providing insights into themes of death and the afterlife, with the emphasis on appreciating every moment we have, because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

The hauntingly beautiful and alluring cover model, Rita Elvira, embodies the mesmerizing world of dark art and beautiy in the book's pages, with layout artistry by Biff Butler (RIP) that draws readers deeper into the visuals and narrative.

About the author



Maggie St. Thomas is a West Coast artist from Long Beach, CA. By the age of fourteen she was a published photo-journalist capturing the Los Angeles Anarchy punk and Goth music scenes with her Nikon 35mm film cameras. One of Maggie's most cherished moments came in 1995 when she photographed her all-time favorites, The Ramones. 

Arturo Vega, legendary RAMONES Creative Director, acknowledged Maggie's talent, stating, "I enjoy seeing photographs or reading almost anything about The Ramones, but it is especially satisfactory when a written piece is done well with a true sense of understanding of punk music; this is just the case in what Maggie has written about the band. She is also very good at capturing the band's spirit in photos." -June 14, 2002 

Since the early 90's, Maggie's photographic and journalistic works have graced the centerfolds, pages, and adorned the covers of over 300 print publication issues, including Billboard, Rolling Stone, and High Times Magazine. Her photographic career has given her the opportunity to work closely with legendary artists including Etta James, Lemmy Kilmister, Bo Diddley, Joey RamoneBradley Nowell, and many more.

Maggie's photographs have also been featured on album covers she's been commissioned to work on including a handful with actor/ musician Corey Feldman, and Mickey Avalon, to name a few. With each collaboration, Maggie skillfully captures the essence of those in front of her camera lens with timeless finesse and grace.

In a unique twist, Maggie ventured beyond her photographic pursuits into Death Care as a Crematory Operator, assisting those who transitioned from the realm of the living into the afterlife from February 2021- February 2024.

In October 2022, Maggie entered the world of published authors with her debut hardcover release, Still Life: The Photographs of Maggie St. ThomasWith four decades of photographic work compiled into a collection of 104 pages, the book begins with a foreword written by Exene Cervenka which beautifully sets the tone for its reader. The 'unofficial'' book release and signing party took place inside the Chapel of Destiny Funeral Home in Long Beach, California, Halloween weekend of  October 2022, with live music, DJ, and framed photographs adorning the walls of the Chapel.

During the first half of 2023, a handful of book signings at B&N bookstore locations on the west coast welcomed the new author, along with her first year at Bay Area Book Festival, and a signing at Green Apple Books in San Francisco.

In Fall 2023, Maggie unveiled two new releases. Underwater Girl, a magical and fun Children's Story that celebrates friendship, courage, and self-discovery, beautifully illustrated by Christie Shinn, and In Print: The Articles of Maggie St. Thomas (2018-2023)a paperback collection of thirty-nine published article features once exclusive to the online domain. With In Print, readers are now able to enjoy these words in the light they deserve, on the printed page. 

Maggie is currently crafting her upcoming books to be released later this year, Subject: PUNK, her second hardcover photography book, with emphasis on the punk scene from 1993 to 2023. With her journeys through Southern California's punk rock scene, to working with legendary artists including The DickiesXThe RamonesSick of It All, and more. Subject: PUNK promises a dynamic exploration of punk rock through the eyes and lens of  Maggie St.Thomas, with interviews, quotes, and insights by the author and various artists featured in the pages. 


Book Reviews

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Sara
Still Life: The photographs of Maggie St. Thomas The photography in this book is second-to-none. Earthy and pointed it reminds the reader of their own mortality and the beauty that can be found in darkness. Photographs of various cemeteries and headstones as well musicians known to celebrate this darkness dominate the content. There are even a few insider images from crematory operations. The flow is smooth and the visuals do the talking. This book is high quality glossy paper with a hard cover. Makes an excellent conversation piece on a coffee table and a thoughtful gift for fans of the goth music scene and the Wednesday Addams in your life. Will definitley buy the future projects this photographer has planned. Read more