The work of multi-talented artist, art-director, illustrator, etc. etc., Wayne White spoke directly to my cheeky-art-lovin’ little heart when I first saw it on The Jealous Curator. Witty, thought-provoking messages painted over vintage reproductions? Brilliant. See some of my faves over on Escape Into Life today!
There are some artists whose careers I’ve had my eye on for quite some time. Florida artist Megan Cosby definitely falls into that category. I’ve always loved her figurative work, but when I saw her beginning to move in a more abstract direction, I knew she was really getting into a beautiful groove.
This new series of abstracts, inspired by flowers, is soft, sophisticated and sensual. In these mixed media paintings, I see abstract representations of the emotion of flowers. The happiness they bring, their lingering scent and fleeting beauty.
Flowers, with their delicately temporal nature, are associated with both life and death. An early sign of spring’s renewal, as well as a token of abashed apology.
To see more of Megan’s work, please visit her website.
John Donne wrote “No man is an island“. And of course, no woman is either. We come into the world needing other human beings to survive and very often, we go out the same way. All throughout our lives, we are seeking, finding, nurturing relationships. Madison, WI artist Amanda Blake’s work explores these connections, both the ones we choose and the ones into which we are born.
When we are very young, our parents and siblings supply most of our relational needs, along with the ocassional imaginary friend. As we mature, we begin to seek more and more outside our tiny familial sphere to find friendship among others, some very much like us, others very different. Eventually, most of us begin looking about for a partner, someone to share our lives with.
For some like me, this journey takes longer than we anticipate. But it is during this time that all of those other relationships are nurtured the most. We spend our time bonding with friends over adventures and over shared memories with siblings.
Eventually, we may perhaps find the other half of our pair. Once we do, we’ll take everything that we learned while cultivating those other relationships to care for this one. And the cycle begins again.
To see more of Amanda Blake’s work, please visit her website.
Artist found via The Jealous Curator. All images are via the artist’s website.
There is something about the art of photography that has always made it appealing to the young. These days maybe, it is the advanced technology often involved. But most of all, I think photography provides a relatively accessible mode of self-expression, which as we all know, is such a huge part of discovering who we are and who we are meant to be. I’m happy to wrap up F/Stop Artsy week with a round-up of some amazingly talented young photographers!
Eleanor Leonne Bennett | Kristen Cates | Brian Oldham | Cristina Otero | Alex Stoddard
I hope you’ll check out the websites of these young talents, linked above. Let’s encourage the next artsy generation!
All images are via the artists’ websites, sourced above.
For many folks, the only photographs on display at home are family portraits and vacation snaps. This afternoon, I’d like to get your creative inspiration going with some beautiful examples of the way art photography can have an amazing impact on your home’s artsiness!
Using photography can give an edge to an ultra-feminine space–
You can make a big impact in a small space like a dining room with an oversized photograph–
To add graphic texture to a neutral space, monochromatic photography does the trick–
**be sure to check the Artsy Forager Facebook album, Artsy Dwelling, for more of Tom’s residential installations!
How about personalizing your space by commissioning an art photographer to document your little ones?
Or even better, enlarge a favorite photo of them and fill an entire wall!
How are you living with photography, Artsies?
Image sources linked below each photo.
I love a good mystery. Not the throat-slasher kind, but the good ol’ Nancy Drew, Wilkie Collins, Daphne Du Maurier variety. In this world of over sharing, there is something so magical and magnetic to be found in the mysterious. The work of Tennessee based artist Kisa Kavass brings to life her own cryptic yet enchanting imaginings.
Kavass’ sepia-tinged images are full of misty light, curious shadows and haunting visages. There is an other-worldly spell cast by them that though shrouded in enigma, we sense that in this world we are safe.
Though things may be as they seem, the mysteries are innocuous.
Like strange dreams from which we awaken not startled or scared, but wishing we could revisit with each slumber.
To see more of Kisa Kavass’s work, please visit her website.
Thank you to artist Christina Baker for introducing me to Kisa’s work! All images are via the artist’s website.
Photography, more than any other medium possesses such a power to transport us to anywhere in the world. And because of it’s documentary nature, we often believe what a photograph is telling us. When New York based photographer Jenna Gang contacted me, I was especially intrigued by her series of images from Israel. It turns out this controversial country has very special meaning for Jenna. I hope you’ll enjoy hearing her talk about the series in this email interview we conducted recently.
Artsy Forager | Your series of photographs from Israel have such a different, more quiet focus than most imagery coming from that country. What was your catalyst for the series? Did it evolve over time or did you begin with your concept already in mind?
Jenna Gang | The catalyst for this series was my grandfather. As a holocaust survivor, he expressed throughout my childhood how important it was for me to visit the holy land. After he passed away, his 35mm camera was given to me by my grandmother. By merging his camera with his aspirations for me, I thought it only fitting to honor his memory by shooting this series.
Throughout my development as a photographer, I have always been drawn to images that were minimalistic and left interpretation to the viewer. Through photographs, the world sees Israel as a conflict. I wanted to show that Israel is so much more than that. I simplified my subject to lines and shapes to reflect the natural beauty of the country.
AF | Who do you count among your photographic heroes?
JG | In hopes of not sounding too generic, most of my fellow FIT alumni are my heroes. This is because although our foundation was built in the same way our results vary so widely. Erin Kennedy, Christian Thorman and Nadirah Zakariya were each given the same tools that I was and yet we all emerged with distinct individual styles. I wait in anticipation to see what they create next.
AF | What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t a photographer?
JG | If I weren’t a photographer, I’d be a food critic. Since I love to eat, this would be a worthy profession. I understand that I would have to eat some bad food along the way, but it would all be worth it for that one good dish.
AF | What is your dream photography project?
JG | During my free time, I enjoy travelling the world via Google Earth, planning how I would capture each of the different landscapes. I am fascinated with Japan and would enjoy a trip to the countrysides of Tokyo, Samurai sword in tow.
To see more of Jenna Gang’s work, please check out her website.
For me, one of the hallmarks of fine art photography is the ability to create and/or capture atmosphere. Just one of the things that separates a good photograph from an amazing one. Photographer Jody Miller‘s images give the viewer a sense of mystery in each place they capture.
Miller’s photographs often catch us in an underrepresented area of a region. A spot quintessentially indicative of a place, yet one not immediately associated with it. In each, she creates an atmosphere of seeming abandonment and desolation, even if it is not so, our minds draw that conclusion.
There is an element of mystery and suspense in the atmosphere of isolation. It’s as if we’ve awoken to find ourselves completely alone in the world.
To see more of Jody Miller’s photography, please visit her website. Her work can be viewed in person at Lightbox Photographic Gallery in Astoria, Oregon, a truly fabulous little gallery dedicated completely to fine art photography.
Artist found via Lightbox Photographic. All images are via the artist’s website.
You may remember photographer Scott Newett’s Solo Man image from my Art to Inspiration post last week. It’s really one of the most striking images I’ve seen in a long time. While perusing his website, I was struck by how carefully composed each image is, like a still from a Wes Anderson movie scene. I couldn’t help but feature him over on Escape Into Life today. This hipster had me at hello.
Isn’t it amazing to think that just like many young people get a confused look on their faces when you show them a vinyl record, so has the use of film photography reached the brink of extinction. But there are some photographers who are keepin’ it old school, like this month’s Facebook Featured Artist, Thomas Hager.
Tom uses historic photographic processes of kallitype and cyanotype, which involves mixing chemicals and hand applying them to high quality archival paper. The process involves contact printing an enlarged negative onto the paper, then fixing the image in a bath of sodium thiosulfate.
The results of this process create a painterly texture to each print, as the inks settle down into the paper rather than laying on top of it.
The monochromatic quality of these processes enhance the visual texture in each image, much like a black and white photograph might. Yet the actual printed texture makes Hager’s cyanotypes and kallitypes feel more like richly hued paintings rather than photographs.
Thomas Hager’s work is currently on exhibition at the Jacksonville International Airport in my hometown ( and his! ), Jacksonville, FL. His work is featured alongside another Artsy Forager favorite, Christina Foard. So if you’re in Jax or happen to be traveling through JIA, don’t miss it!
You can see more of Tom’s work on his website. His originals are sublime and worth every penny, but if you’re on a budget, check out Town Editions, Tom’s limited edition series!
All images via the artist.