Ted Robinson has lived in amazing places all over the world, but according to him, he’s found a true welcome and the deepest sense of home here in Frederick.
Having spent a long career in the military, he bounced from Italy, Germany, France, Honduras, Saudi Arabia and other international locations—as well as places like Texas and New Jersey in the States—before finding permanent settlement in Maryland as a biodefense researcher at Fort Detrick. Before he and his wife Mary officially began calling Frederick home, they had driven through a few times and enjoyed visiting the community, but especially began to appreciate the welcoming local atmosphere after purchasing their first Frederick house in 2007. Children Nicholas and Ashley followed, and the Robinsons have been here ever since (Ted retired from active military service in 2008).
Frederick has also provided an ideal location for Ted’s creativity to blossom. “It has so many diverse landscapes, from downtown, to country barns—all of these places that are uniquely iconic,” he says. Having been interested in photography since high school, where he was part of his school’s photography club, he really began to get serious about his main creative interest in 2010, after visiting a wildlife preserve in Oklahoma while traveling for work. The preserve took him back to his childhood in Alabama when he used to sit in front of the television and watch Western shows after church. He has always been inspired by the vast unspoiled landscapes of the American West, the beautiful, vibrant colors of the desert—places where the buffalo literally roam. He captured so many amazing photographs at the wildlife preserve that he was inspired to invest in some quality camera equipment and put time and attention into photography as a hobby.
Luckily, Frederick provided so much rich subject matter right in Ted’s backyard. The historical character of Frederick, the preservation of its interesting buildings and even more modern developments such as Carroll Creek Linear Park “force us to pause and appreciate the timeless beauty of our surroundings,” he says. It’s these moments of timeless beauty that he tries to freeze perfectly in his photos. Of course, there is no shortage of Frederick locals—and even those farther afield—who have an appetite for displaying these “iconic” moments and places as art. The transition for Ted to begin offering his photographs as prints for sale has been natural.
He’s become well-known in the community as a photographer, with a special knack for turning an eye of wonder toward those local pops of beauty we sometimes miss—and he has turned his gift and passion into a thriving business. He has recently redesigned and revamped his website and spreads the word about his art at regional vendor shows. He photographs other locations as he travels, but Frederick forms the heart and soul of his work, especially his popular, unique compilation of Frederick County doors.
In keeping with his deeply-rooted appreciation for the community, Ted has also gotten involved in shaping local arts. Frederick Arts Council Executive Director Louise Kennelly approached him at a vendor show and invited him to interview as a member of the Frederick Arts Council board. He quickly joined the organization and became active in extending the benefit of arts programming and support to Frederick residents and visitors.
“It’s important to me to make sure that the arts in Frederick are representing everyone in the community,” he says, “and that folks throughout the county are accessing those benefits, as well.”
Through his work with the Arts Council, he’s been able to participate in some exciting local creative efforts. One particularly close to his heart, he says, has been the redesign of the 7th Street Fountain Park, as spearheaded by the Downtown Frederick Partnership. As a member of the Arts Council board, he represented FAC in reviewing artist applications for a prominent public artwork that will commemorate the history of the 7th Street neighborhoods in the redesigned park. The artist will work with the AARCH Society, as well as other local organizations, to weave Frederick’s African-American history into a public sculpture of illumination and honor.
He also looks forward to upcoming travels that will provide incredible vistas for some gorgeous photos. He has trips planned to Ireland and Greece—camera in tow, for sure, although to be fair, he never leaves home without it! And the holiday season, as always, will provide fresh opportunities for classic Frederick stills. Frederick in the snow is always the ultimate winter wonderland.
ArtFrederick.com