About Abbey

For many years, I have been creating fine art and showing in galleries. After 38 years as a portraitist and wedding photographer, I am expressing my creativity in several styles — Impressionism, Underwater Surrealism, Nudes, Alternative Process, and Gold Leaf (Gilded Light).

Gilded Light is an alternative process using glass and gilding materials together to magically create a photograph that is a scintillating, shimmering piece of interpretative art; a piece that catches light.

Abbey smilingThe attraction I have always felt for the work of the Impressionists just kept drawing me in, and has given me impetus to create photographs in their style. Seeing a vision before I snap the shutter, I transform my photographs into Plein Air style images using Photoshop. This tool gives me a whole wonderful world of creativity. The beauty of a brush stroke, of color saturated, of edges and glorious tones, inspires me to create Photographic Impressionism.

Photoshop drives my passion and allows me to lose myself in a world of creativity. Weaving elements together, I create stories and surreal scenes. Whether Underwater or in Composite Art, I love Painting with my camera, my computer, and my imagination.

If you enjoy these, you are welcome to contact me about commissioning work for your specific décor, tastes, needs, or simply tell me what size you want of what you see on these pages. Let’s have a conversation.

My work is selling at Off Track Gallery Marketplace.

A favorite quote:

“To my mind, a picture should be something pleasant, cheerful, and pretty, yes pretty! There are too many unpleasant things in life as it is, without creating still more of them.”
―Pierre-Auguste Renoir

It comes as a thrill to be winning awards with my art. I try to have pieces displayed in local galleries at all times. These include:


If you would like to be on an email list to be invited to upcoming shows, please contact me.

I have taught workshops at

I am a member of

Past member of

I live in Carlsbad, California, with my husband and two cats. Our twin boys are the light of our lives. Life is Sweet. And one day we will all drive electric cars.

Abbey Chamberlain Photography