Portrait of an Artist
Portrait of an Artist
Thirty years ago, I gave up writing to pursue photography. I was overwhelmed and defeated by rejection from MFA fiction programs and hundreds of literary magazines. I bought my first 35 mm starter camera and began experimenting. I also began teaching high school English, having given up on my life’s dream of writing full time. During this time, I took pictures and made collages. There were stories everywhere, and I would eventually be inspired to return to writing. The arts are so similar.
I compare fiction writing to oil painting because we’re always putting layers down and scraping them away to see what remains. What is the piece feeling? What is it saying? Is it too overt? Is it too subtle? Is it heartfelt? Is the artist telling the truth?
I’m trying to tell the truth.
Eventually, I decided to once again apply to MFA programs, and I was finally accepted. I left my day job to pursue art full time.
Whether I’m taking photographs, making dresses, weaving, painting, collaging or making clay sculptures, I’m telling a story, and the truth of the story is that it’s my life experience presented as a universal, as something an audience can interpret and see and hopefully relate to and draw from with their own experience.
As I come full circle, I’m exploring low lighting and self-portraiture with a goal of showing pursuit, strength and vulnerability. My current influences are Francesca Woodman and Sally Mann. I shot these fifteen images in monochrome with a high ISO and low aperture, experimenting with blurring the image to create a haunting disappearing self. Each image reflects who I am as an artist.