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–
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.
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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.
You may remember photographer Scott Newett’sSolo 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.
Thanks to our currently transient-like lifestyle ( we move every 3-6 months due to my husband’s job ) our opportunities for visiting amazing places are much higher than most people can boast. We took advantage of hubby’s three day holiday weekend to visit Glacier National Park in Montana and camp at one of my hubby’s favorite places in the world, the tiny hamlet of Polebridge, MT. So in the spirit of the F/Stop Artsy event here at Artsy Forager, I thought I would share some photos and thoughts from our trip!
Being among amazing natural beauty is a huge source of inspiration for me. Getting out and hiking and camping refreshes and rejuvenates not just the body, but the mind and the soul. It is in places like these that we unplug, give ourselves over to each moment and feel how very small we are in this vast landscape.
While the call of the wild is definitely a draw for us, sometimes what makes these trips so inspirational is how much we connect with each other when we’re unplugged and off-the-grid, as well as how we may find ourselves in the midst of an other worldly atmosphere.
For the past few years, my husband has regaled me with stories from his “Summer of Love”, almost an entire summer spent traveling from one amazing place to another. He’s always described his time in Polebridge, MT, a tiny town less than a mile from the West entrance to Glacier, as his “falling down the rabbit hole”. Like Wonderland, Polebridge is filled with quirky characters and when you are there, you become immediately immersed in its magic.
It is a place where happy and friendly dogs run free, a French ex-patriot and retired Santa Claus mingles with a former pharmacist turned saloon owner and an entire evening can be spent singing Bob Dylan songs around a bonfire with complete strangers who feel like old friends.
A place where the grass is cool and fragrant and the view from every direction inspires. It’s a spot where winters are long and hard but summer is its own reward. A landscape built for dreaming and creating.
Not every artsy place is full of galleries and museums. Some are artsy by way of how they inspire and the community of people drawn to them.
Where is your artsy destination this summer? Where will the road take you? No matter where you are, look for the artsy. It’s always there and it’s waiting for you.
PS– The folks at Polebridge like their little community small. So keep it on the down low. 😉
All images are the property of Artsy Forager. Please do not use without permission.
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 FacebookFeatured 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!
Immersion, featuring Christina Foard & Thomas Hager at Jacksonville International Airport
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!
Happy Independence Day to all my US Artsies! Hope you are enjoying the holiday in the company of friends and family. Hubby and I are enjoying purple mountain’s majesty at Glacier National Park! This month’s Art to Inspiration artwork is a photograph by the fabulous Smita Jacob, photographer and blogger extraordinaire over at Hogger & Co. I was excited to see the selection of a photograph for this month’s inspiration, as my resulting inspired gallery will give you a little sneak peek at next week’s photography event, F/Stop Artsy!
The inspiration–
Healing Yoga With Aarti by Smita Jacob
The gallery–
My Potholes project by Claudia Ficca and Davide LucianoFrozen Series by Zena HollowayTied Together by Martin StrankaThe Brave by Sarah Ann LorethSolo Man by Scott Newett
Enjoy your holiday, Artsies! Be sure to click on each photo to see more work from these talented photogs!
You can find more information on Art to Inspiration here and if you would like to participate in the next Art to Inspiration, just fill out this form! Follow me and all the other Art to Inspiration bloggers on Twitter by subscribing here. Let the inspiring begin!
Where did the month of June go?! Here it is, July 1st already! A new month equals a new Featured Artist over on the Artsy Forager Facebook page. The featured artist for July is Thomas Hager, an incredibly talented fine art photographer ( and painter! ) who uses historic photographic processes to create incredibly gorgeous imagery. Head over the Artsy Forager Facebook page for a peek at Tom’s work! More features on Tom to come all throughout the month of July!
I realize that Artsy Forager can be a little painting heavy and fine art photography is an oft-under appreciated medium so next week, we’ll be celebrating the work of some fantabulous photogs! Each day, we’ll feature a different art photographer, showcasing a range of styles. Maybe you’ll be inspired to get a little artsy with your own camera!
