Published Thursday, December 12, 2002
'Rust in Peace'
By Larissa Theodore
Herald Staff Writer
A longtime Herald photographer has a collection of photographs on display at Shenango Valley Community Library in Sharon.
The collection, "Rust In Peace," features a mix of 25 color and black and white photos taken by Gene Paulson, 70, of Sharpsville.
Paulson began working on his collection about five months ago. While taking pictures of an old tractor radiator at a farm outside Zelienople, Paulson said a friend who was with him thought the object looked like a tombstone.
So became "Rust In Peace," a cluster of photos ranging from rusted farming equipment to rusted iron fences in areas of Mercer, Lawrence, Crawford and Erie counties. The photos will be on display through mid-January.
Eventually, Paulson plans to turn the photos into a limited-edition coffee table book. Paulson, who once was chief photographer, retired from The Herald eight years ago. He later returned to work as a freelancer, which he continues to do to this day.
"I'm retired, but I haven't quit working," Paulson said.
He began working for The Herald during football season after graduating from Sharon High School in 1951. His interest began with sports.
"I would come in early and pass the sports desk. I became friends with Johnny Pepe (sports editor at the time) and wanted to be a sports writer." At age 19, he began writing Little League stories and would take his own pictures at the games.
Eventually he began doing photography solely. His talent was kindled at the age of 12 when he began working for 45 cents an hour at the only camera shop in the valley, Smith Drug Store.
Through cooperation with The Herald, Paulson went on to shoot "crime scene" photos for local and state police and the Mercer County coroner.
"I used to get called out on anything I was able to help with," including accidents, arsons, deaths, homicides and suicides, he said.
Well into the 1950s and '60s, Paulson continued taking photographs for officials. It wasn't until the '80s, when advanced technology came along, that they didn't demand much of his services anymore.
"I still did it into the '70s and '80s," Paulson said.
About five months ago, he began looking for a project and Shenango Valley Community Library had a large area available for artwork displays.
"They didn't want the wall blank for too long a period, so they asked me to show my photographs," Paulson said.
The photos were previously on display at Greenville Area Public Library.
Paulson, who is never short of book ideas, is working on releasing his coffee table book.
He planned to illustrate a children's book several decades ago after spending two summers traveling with a one-ring circus and taking photos. He spent his time hanging out and helping the circus with odd jobs, which ultimately earned him their trust.
"Eventually when I started taking pictures, they were relaxed around me. I made friends," he said.
The book idea was based on Paulson's experiences as a 4-year-old when he attempted to run away with another traveling circus that had come to town near his home.
He ran away and was later found by his father near the elephants.
"The book was going to be about me as a child. I ran away with the circus and here, 50 years later, I was doing it again," he said.
Plans for his book changed when he became struck by a young girl being raised in the circus life. "I changed my book from running away to growing up in the circus," he said.
Paulson continues to take photos in the valley when and wherever he can.
"I'm far from the best but I've done all right," he said. "I'm happy. I'm not sure I would have been any happier anywhere else."
You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharonherald.com