Joel Arthur Leavitt Photography

Joel Arthur Leavitt discusses his 'Abstractions' exhibition at Mulry Fine Art

It's never too late to rise as an artist.

Abstract photos by Joel Arthur Leavitt are being exhibited for the first time in Palm Beach.

"I am an emerging artist at the age of 80," he chuckles.

His exhibition, "Abstractions," at Mulry Fine Art in the Paramount building consists of large- and small-scale abstract photographs.

At first glance, the photographs may appear unfamiliar, but a closer look shows they are natural textures and patterns of rock cliffs or old stone building facades. The colors and textures are magnificent, and the images appear three-dimensional; you want to reach out and touch them.

"Thousands of people walk by some of these buildings and walls all the time, but no one stops to look at them," Leavitt says. "I look at a building and I'm thinking wow, what wonderful colors and textures."

The photos were shot in the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia, Corsica and Elba.

Leavitt shoots in color only. "The good Lord gave us color, and what a dreary world it would be if everything was black and white," he says.

His photographs are magically precise; they are unedited and shot using only natural light.

Fecia Mulry, the gallery proprietor, says Leavitt's images are stunning. "He's looking at the world through an abstract eye and seeing things that the average person would not see."

Leavitt began his self-taught photographic journey more than 50 years ago with a camera that was a wedding present. He began taking pictures of things that caught his eye, particularly images most people wouldn't focus on.

"While people are taking pictures of each other and of mountains and streams, I am taking pictures of the shadows on the railings of the boardwalk," he says.

Friends and family urged Leavitt to embrace his gift and do something with the photos. He retired in 2006 and soon put together a book of his photographs, Captured Moments — Eclectic Views Through My Lens. A few years later he met Mulry, and she wanted to exhibit his work.

Leavitt is a native of Boston; he lives in Palm Beach Gardens seasonally. Not your typical 80-year-old, he also plays tennis and golfs four or five days a week.

His works will be shown at Mulry Fine Art through March 13.