Everything Is Art Issue T
Contact
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get your hands dirty we promise you won’t die
Jennifer Vitalia Editor in Chief Creative Director Carl Stoffers Managing Executive Copy Editor Kelly Arcidiacono Associate Editor Jesse Starrick Advertising Director Cover Image By: Tomaas All images in this publication may not be used without the Artist's consent. Š 2011 Everything Is Art LLC. All rights to art, writing, photos, designs, and copyrights are property of the Artist. Everything Is Art LLC
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2012 ART CONTEST APRIL 15th - July 15th Celebrity Judges:
Antonio Ballatore HGTV
Anthony Carrino HGTV
Nathan Sawaya Sculptor
Change The Rules. Break The Structure. Tata Fernandez Art Consultant
A different kind of contest... EIA believes every artist is great and should be given the exposure they deserve! Every artist that submits will have one image featured in a very special edition of Everything Is Art Magazine in both digital and print!
Jennifer Vitalia Photographer Everything is Art
In addition, all images submitted will have a permanent URL on our site, exposing your artwork the way it should be!
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Grand Prizes:
Apple iPad 3 Canon Professional Camera Sony Vegas Pro 11 Spread in Everything Is Art Magazine Solo Gallery Show For more info visit:
EverythingIsArt.CC
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EXCLUSIVE How old were you when you first learned Legos would be your medium? Does it stem from your childhood? When I was about ten years old, I asked my parents if I could get a dog. They said no, so I ended up building myself a life-size dog out of LEGO bricks. That was one of those very early moments when I realized that this toy could be used as a medium to create anything I could think of. I didn’t need to limit myself to building what was on the front of the box, I could create anything. It would be years later, as an adult, when I rediscovered it as a medium for large-scale sculptures and really found my passion. How long have you been sculpting? I have been fooling around with sculpture all of my life, but about eight years ago I challenged myself to create a large scale sculpture using only LEGO bricks. Before that, I had sculpted out of more traditional media, like clay and wire. I have also done a number of sculptures out of candy.
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INTERVIEW Did you go to school for the arts? I took art classes, but I did not major in the arts. In fact, when I got out of college, I didn’t have enough faith in my art to become an artist. Instead, I followed a less artistic path and ended up going to law school. It would be years later, when I was practicing law full time, that I would come home at night and spend hours on my artwork. Eventually, I left the law firm to open a studio and become a full time artist. Are you ever scared that someone will touch your piece and it will fall apart? Has a piece ever fallen apart while you were sculpting it? Because my sculptures are made out of such a familiar toy, there is a tendency for viewers to want to touch the artwork. However, we strongly discourage touching. I glue all of my sculptures together to make sure they can travel well. Since I ship sculptures all over the world, I want to make sure they arrive in one piece.
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Do you use any patterns or plans in your work? It depends on the project. I want to envision in my mind what the final piece will look like before I put down that first brick. Generally, I do a lot of sketching and planning. However, there are still times when I sit down and just start creating, without a sketch or a plan. How long does it take to do a typical project? A life-size human form can take two to three weeks. What do you like about what you do, and why do you feel it is important to continue this tradition?
I enjoy seeing people’s reactions to artwork created from something with which they are familiar. Everyone can relate to it, because it is a toy that many children have at home. They have strong reactions when they see this toy being used in a unique way. I want to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before. Is there anything you don’t like about what you do? It can be frustrating at times when people dismiss the art because they assume it is just an exhibition of toy cars and trucks. I want to them to forget that the art is made out of a toy. One of the best compliments I received was when I debuted the sculpture “My Boy,” and a woman started crying. She saw it for art, and not for the toy out of which it was made.
Is art your passion? Creating art is my passion. It is where I find myself the happiest. Even in my darkest hours, the actual creating with my hands is where I find peace.
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How important is art to you in today’s society? What is your take on budget cuts in art in schools? Art is very important and I am proud to be able to share my art with kids around the world. I currently have three exhibitions touring. I have found that these exhibitions are a great way for schools to bring their students into a museum and connect with art. We have found that many kids have never even been to an art museum, but they get inspired when they see my sculptures created from a medium that they can easily relate to. When a child goes to a museum and sees a marble
statute, they can appreciate it, but it is doubtful that they will go home that night and start chipping away at a slab of marble. However, when kids see my art, they do go home and start creating with their LEGO bricks.
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What has been your biggest inspiration? Many of my works center on the phenomena of how everyday life, people, and raw emotion are intertwined. Often my art is a reenactment of my personal feelings. I am inspired by my own experiences, emotions, and the journeys I am taking. What would you like the viewer to feel from your sculptures? The fundamental purpose to my art is to captivate people for as long as I can keep their attention. I strive to create artwork that is interesting and that is unlike anything they have seen before. Of all your work, what is your favorite piece? The next one. Your work is known world wide from children to museums, How does that feel? It’s surreal. I have been approached by families who have never been to a fine art gallery in their lives, but are drawn in because of my artwork. It is opening up the art world to a whole new population. Did you ever think you would succeed as an artist? I don’t know if I have yet. I still have hopes and dreams that have not been achieved. How does one measure success? Have there been times where you wanted to give up? There have been points of frustration, but I have never wanted to completely walk away. I have always come back to my art.
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What would you say to inspire artists? F ollowi n g yo u r d r e a m s i s t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t hi n g yo u c a n do . I wa s wo r k i n g a s a n a t t o r n e y a t a law fi r m i n N e w Y o r k Ci t y . I k n e w i t wa s n ’ t m y p a s s io n , a n d i t t oo k a b i t of t i m e b e fo r e I wa s a b l e t o t a k e t ha t l e a p a n d follow m y d r e a m s , b u t o n c e I did t ha t , I ha v e b e e n a b l e t o li v e m y lif e t h e way I wa n t e d t o li v e i t . www.brickartist.com www.facebook.com/nathan.sawaya www.twitter.com/@NathanSawaya Everything is Art
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Jessica Slagle is an aspiring artist living in New York City. She earned her BFA in Illustration from The College of Visual Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Jessica currently works as a fashion designer, designing graphic tops for various junior girls’ stores such as Wet Seal and Charlotte Russe. She has participated in various gallery shows at The College of Visual Arts, as well as the Rock The Cause Foundation. Since moving to New York in 2011, she has been steadily breaking in to the East Coast art scene. “I used to think I was the strangest person in the world, but then I thought there are so many people in the world,
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there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you.” - Frida Kahlo My work has always been a reflection on my inner world. From the time I was little to the present day, the collages I create are an attempt to express how I see the world around me. Recently, I’ve been using my art as a way to illustrate the visions I have during meditation. I started out doing all my work
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by hand. The tactile quality of creating hand-made work was something I cherished. Of course, when one moves to New York City, one doesn’t necessarily have the available space to create a full-scale traditional collage, so digital collage is something I’ve recently started working with. Living in a tiny New York apartment really forced me to get to know my computer. It was definitely one of those ‘happy accident’ situations. My work has grown leaps and bounds since using digital media.
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www.slagletron.daportfolio.com
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Igor Kraguljac was born in Zagreb, Croatia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinematography from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, Serbia. Later, he graduated with a Master's Degree from the elite Visualization Sciences program at Texas A&M University. His photographic art has been exhibited and published across the globe and has been recognized internationally by prestigious industry organizations and mainstream media. Kraguljac is based in Texas, where he is able to carry out his dream of being a working photographer and cinematographer, but his passion also takes him to sites across the United States. “I've always enjoyed experimenting with a camera and searching for new ways to express myself. Rather than being attached to a single theme or a photo category, I prefer to navigate through all of them, using new techniques or variations along the way. To achieve the right atmosphere in a scene or describe a model's character, I rely on diverse lighting. It gives the end result an edge.” "Enjoy every day of your life, because everything around you is so beautiful.”
www.igorkraguljac.com
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Eyan Higgins Jones A Master of Airbrushing.
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“Surrounded by the lushness of green hills, forests and mountains of North Wales, my connection with the natural world began very early in life. I find myself at peace and re-energized when I'm amidst the splendor of nature.� www.eyanhigginsjones.com
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Born in North Wales, Eyan Higgins Jones earned an M.A in Illustration from the University of Central England. Shortly after graduating, he started his own company, selling his art to restaurants, bars and other commercial interiors throughout Great Britain. He has lived, traveled and worked in many cities and countries throughout Europe, where he developed a portfolio of skills working in mural paintings, theatre, film, fashion, advertising, and more recently, fine arts. Currently living in California, his awe of the natural world is increased by the magnificence of the sights there, and he considers living amongst the giant coastal redwoods an honor. These days, his personal work aims to bring a unique perspective on the relationship between humankind and nature.
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John
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Many people consider the kitchen to be the heart
of their home. Whether preparing a meal, eating, or just having a conversation, the kitchen can be both a workstation and social gathering place. What many don’t realize is that a kitchen is actually a canvas as well. It has the basic principles of art: form, function, color, texture, different sizes, mediums, sounds, lighting and hues. When designed with a passion, kitchens have exceptional personality and character. A kitchen designer is, in fact, an artist. We had the chance to speak with Anthony and John from the “Kitchen Cousins” show on HGTV about the passion and love that goes into their very unique designs.
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Being from a family that’s in the construction business, did you always want to get involved in that business, or was design something you wanted to get into? John: Growing up, I didn’t think I’d necessarily be designing kitchens or designing spaces, but it’s something I’ve always liked doing. I’ve always had a true passion for it. Many people look at you as builders or construction workers, but in reality, you’re artists. Do you ever feel that people don’t understand that your work is art? Anthony: We do put a lot of design into the product, nothing is cookie-cutter. Not a knock on builders, because they have to build what a developer wants. Fortunately for us, we’ve been able to be both the developer and builder on our own projects.
When you’re designing a kitchen, what inspires you? John: For me, the inspiration comes from the actual homeowners themselves. Trying to give them what they want, but also what would look best in their home. Taking into account the space, their style, and the home itself. It really comes down to the homeowner.
John: I think a lot of people don’t. There’s a vision that we have, maybe it’s a little different than someone else’s. But it really is ART, you feel a true passion when you design something. Did either of you go to school for design? Anthony: Neither of us went to school for design. I got a degree in entrepreneurship and information systems at Babson College. I started my own web design company in college, and through that, I really fostered my creative side. John: I graduated from Penn State with a degree in industrial relations with a minor in business management.
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What other things are you passionate about? Anthony: I have two other major passions in my life: Riding my motorcycle and photography. For me, the two go hand in hand, because I always take my camera with me. Both really force you to look at things from a different perspective. On a bike, you connect with your environment in a way that you can’t if you’re riding in a car. With a camera, you’re totally focused on something through a lens. I think photography really forces you to slow down and take a look at things in a different light. See Anthony’s work on pages: 36 - 41
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How many ideas for one project or design run through your head before you settle on one? What is usually the factor that determines which design you settle on? Anthony: Strangely enough, especially with the kitchens, 90% of the time John and I will walk in and say ‘this goes here, that goes there.’ It happens quickly. Especially since there are so many similar layouts in the brownstones and warehouses in Jersey City and Hoboken that we work on, your footprint is limited. The originality comes in when you begin to talk to the homeowner and start to figure out their tastes and their likes. We build it to the homeowners wishes. They’re the ones that are going to live with it. When you really take the time to listen to their needs and wants, then deliver on it, it’s a great feeling.
What is your dream project? Anthony: That’s a tough one. Our company just bought a building in Jersey City, it’s an old Bell Telephone switching station. The architectural detail on the place is magnificent, and we’re making it into really chic, industrial lofts. I’ve got so many ideas for this project, and I think that’s a direct result of the show, having to continue to come up with new ideas to keep the show current and fun, it’s helped me evolve as a designer. I’m so stoked to design this place.
John: Hundreds. Sometimes you have so many ideas and things you want to put into a project, to narrow it down, it takes time. On top of that, we’re conscious of the building costs as well. There’s so many factors that go into it. Have you ever gotten into a design that didn’t come out the way you intended? How did you remedy it? Anthony: I think the best example is during season one, we did a textured wall with a pink paint on it. It was supposed to be red, and the color was discontinued and nobody let us know. We were in the middle of the build and had three other red doors. But, we were able to convert the entire kitchen to a gray color, and found this textured product. We went with a bold color on it, and it wound up working much better than the original idea. John: There’s always certain areas where you don’t get exactly what you want. Sometimes the homeowner isn’t totally into your idea. The key is to communicate with the homeowner, because you work for them. You want to give them exactly what they want. Everything is Art
I would love to design a room or area in the White House. I don’t know if there’s any house in the world that’s more famous than the White House. John:
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Many of your designs incorporate older items alongside new ones. How does that happen? Anthony: It’s a very personal thing for me. It goes back to the original fabric of a place like Jersey City. There’s something very nostalgic about it. The aesthetic of the old and new materials together is very gratifying and pleasing. I find that the old and new play so well together, and it’s a style that we’ve developed over the last eight or nine years.
Do you see yourself as an artist? Anthony: I don’t. I think of an artist as someone who can draw and paint I can’t do those things. With tools and materials, building furniture, building things, I can definitely do that. I think of myself as a designer, but I think the lines are so blurred these days. John: In a way, yes. There’s a lot of passion in what we do. When you’re passionate about something, that’s what gives you those artistic moments.
John: We don’t stay inside a box on the show. Other people may have a formula. We like to go outside of the box. We’ll choose older materials or woods and combine them with newer stuff. We try not to follow trends, we consider ourselves trend setters.
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What are your favorite things to do when you’re not working? John: I’m a very active person. I love going to the gym, it gives me peace of mind and helps me stay healthy. I love snowboarding. How has being on TV impacted your life? John: What we’ve been given is an unbelievable opportunity, but the hardest part is time. We find ourselves working six or seven days a week. We’re real guys with a real business. To try to balance the show and the business, it’s a challenge. Do you still design in your head when you’re not working? Anthony: Without a doubt. Design is emotional. If I see something, I’ll just freak out on the spot. I’ll figure out how to get a photo or capture something. It’s not something that you can shut off, I don’t think.
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Wha What’s your ultimate goal? What do you want to be remembered for? Anthony: I think the buildings and designs kind of speak for themselves. If there’s one thing that I’d like to be remembered for, it’s that we restore these old buildings, we don’t tear them down. We give them a second shot. John: I’d love to be remembered for doing some inspirational, cutting edge designs. I hope people can learn from us. What’s your favorite color? Anthony: Good use of color is more important than the specific color itself. John: Blue. What’s your favorite book? Anthony: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is the last book I read, and I certainly enjoyed it. John: Anything political. What’s your favorite building? Anthony: There are many great structures out there, but the Duomo is our logo for a reason. People wondered how they built it for years, so if I had to choose, that would be it. John: I love the Empire State Building. It’s like a national monument. It’s amazing how they built it. Favorite food? Anthony: Spaghetti Ubriacone John: Eggplant Parmigiana  Favorite music? Anthony: The blues & classic rock. John: I’m really into all types, but my favorite is club music. What advice would you give to someone about following their dreams? Never give up, and never say never. I am a true believer of fate in life. Everyone has a path, and if you’re passionate about what you do, if you put your heart and soul into it, you will succeed. It comes down to hard work.
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www.HGTV.com/kitchencousins www.facebook.com/kitchencousins www.twitter.com/kitchencousins Everything is Art
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Anthony Carrino
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Forced to look at things from a different perspective.
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www.twitter.com/carrinoanthony www.flickr.com/photos/acarrino
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Anthony Kerrigan www.anthonykerrigan.com
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|A Pile Of Markers|
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| Endless Creativity|
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Anthony Kerrigan was born and raised in Hong Kong to a Portuguese mother and Scottish father. His interest in photography started when he was 14 and quickly became a huge part of everything he did. In addition to photography, he also enjoys writing music and tattooing. Anthony likes to stay creative and tries to practice at least one artistic medium every day.
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“I strive to turn what we see as banal into something very dramatic. It has taken a long time for me to be able to convey what I want to say through images of situations I have no control over, especially with street photography.�
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Micaela Norma Rodriguez
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Micaela Rodriguez was born in 1990 in San Jose, California. In 2012, she received her BA in Art Education from San Francisco State University. She enjoys exploring her artistic abilities through various mediums, such as painting, photography, sculpture and printmaking. Micaela believes it is important to develop relationships with the medium and let the material have a voice of its own. Her work is mainly inspired by the human body through abstracted form and her recent works have been exhibited in The Martin Wong Gallery, Fine Arts Gallery and Gallery 4N5 in San Francisco. “As an artist, I find myself deeply drawn towards the human body. I’m inspired by the way it is used as a tool to represent ideas, as well as a source in which we all can relate to. I enjoy questioning the nature of form, which may appear unrecognizable at first glance. Through my work, I wish to give the viewer a unique perspective by placing figures out of the typical norm and into abstracted compositions to symbolize a state of presence and the subconscious mind.” www.micaelanorma.daportfolio.com
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Where did you study photography?
great joy to get out of bed and start discovering the country and it’s culture through the lens of my I never formally studied photography at a camera. After my experience with photography college, university or an art school. I did, however, during my travels, I somehow knew photography pick up a camera at an early age and started had to play a more important role in my life, experimenting with photography. preferably as a career. I set aside my camera during my university studies in Europe, but once again picked it up when I moved to the United States. Upon my arrival to New York City, I seriously began moving towards being a photographer, in particular, a fashion photographer. While living in New York City, I studied photography International Center for Photography. Whatever formal training I may have obtained, however, I consider myself in my heart a self-taught photographer. What did you do to gain so much knowledge in this area? Much of my knowledge and experience in the area of photography began with my studying the work of master photographers, both inside and outside of the field of fashion photography. In addition, when I was starting out in the field and when given the opportunity, I had long conversations with fashion photographers with more experience than myself about the business and creative side of the field. I gained the most experience, however, by being adventurous and taking on all types of projects. Finally, working with clients on various projects taught me not only how to pitch and present projects to potential clients, but how to listen to, and adjust, my project ideas based on my ongoing conversations with a client as a project progresses. What was the turning point that made you realize that photography was what you wanted to do in life?
Why is photography important to you? Its hard to put into words why some things in your life are more important than others. On a more immediate level, I can say that photography is important to me because I enjoy the creative process that begins with the journey that often starts with a simple idea that evolves and develops in collaboration with my clients and the members of my team into a photo shoot and the post-production process. I particularly enjoy being part of a team and fashion photography is very much a team effort. A photo shoot can only be successful when all of the members of the team understand the concept behind the photo shoot and communicate to each other their role in executing such a concept successfully. Photography is important to me because it allows me to express myself in a unique way. My style has often been described as edgy, vibrant, and dramatic, yet, at the same time, subtle. I would also elaborate further by saying that my style reflects my adventurous nature to constantly push forward by challenging myself with new ideas and concepts, and not being afraid to leave behind ideas from the past, no matter how successful. Andy Warhol once said, “If you want to know all about Andy Warhol, just look at the surface of my paintings and films and me, and there I am. There's nothing behind it.” I think that the look of my photographs can tell viewers more about me than I could ever say about myself.
When growing up in Europe, traveling was always a part of my life. During my years living in Europe, I visited and studied in several different European countries and captured those periods with my camera as a hobby. Although my interest in photography started when I was young, practicality and the idea that I needed to make living in a more “practical” field would serve as a detour from my participation in the field of photography for several years. There was even a time when I did not own a camera and stopped taking photographs altogether. After some extended travels through several countries, and, particularly, Vietnam, I began getting excited again about taking photographs. Every morning during my travels, I experienced Everything is Art
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Who or what influenced you to become a photographer? My own sense of adventure and my need to explore the world influenced me the most. As I have stated, my initial desire to record my travels in Europe and then around the world sparked my interest in photography. As I have grown older from the period in my life where I began my travels in Europe and recorded such travels as a hobbyist photographer I have felt a need to record images. (Not only do I like to record images as a photographer, but when I am not working, I am an avid viewer of documentaries which I am endlessly fascinated by. I see a connection between my choice of a career as a fashion photographer and my love of documentaries.) My career as a fashion photographer is an extension of my need and desire to create and record images. Of course, fashion photography, unlike the street photography of a travel photographer, is a planned experience from start to finish, In the end, however, the end product of a fashion photo shoot is the recording of images. As for “who” influenced me, I would say many photographers that came before me have had a profound influence on my work. There are just too many to mention here. Do you believe in the expression “A picture is worth 1,000 words”? Yes, in many cases, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This is true of photographs from a professional photographer to photographs in a family photo album. There have been scientific studies in regard to this notion trying to explain why. In the simplest terms I believe that people can connect more easily with images and more readily identify with such images. Throughout human history, especially during wars and tragedies, the magnitude of such events could only be fully appreciated when photographs recorded them. The tragedy of the World Trade Center attacks in my adopted home city of New York are a clear example of where only photographs could accurately convey the tragedy of that day.
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I do not want to suggest that other art forms cannot match the power of a photographic image. Who could not feel moved when viewing Picasso’s painting Guernica, which is the depiction of the horrors of the Spanish Civil War? Who could not feel moved by the words of Martin Luther King Jr. in his “I have a dream” speech. There are endless poems of just a handful of words that relate to the joys and sadness of the human experience that are extraordinarily powerful. The list of artistic creations that equal the power of a photographic image is endless and continuously growing. However, I will say that the most average of photographs taken by the most untrained photographers tend to be worth much more than the most average of works in most other art forms. Do you think that society would be different if photography was never invented? I definitely think so. When photographs are used to reveal and reflect truths of the world around us I believe that photography can have many positive effects. Throughout history since the invention of photography, photographic images have been a powerful tool to depict the truth of the world around us. There have been many events that would not have been believed unless photographers had been witnesses with their camera to record. For example, the famous photograph of a little Vietnamese girl running down a road naked and crying during a bombing raid was a critical image in turning public opinion against the War. I will note that photography, especially in the era of photo manipulating software tools, can also be used as a propaganda tool to misrepresent the truth. Given that photos are frequently interpreted as the ultimate truthful recording of the world around us, those with an agenda can use photographs in a way that is detrimental to society. Photography is a very powerful tool for better or worse.
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www.tomaas.com
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Do you think that a person must possess talent to capture emotion and expression in a picture? Or can anyone just pick up a digital camera now and call himself or herself a photographer? I believe that a person must have a certain natural curiosity and awareness of their surroundings to capture images that endure and demand repeated viewings. I also believe that a person has to have the ability to push themselves forward to capture images in an interesting way without compromising such images.
To take memorable photos, a photographer needs to understand that photographic images are a form of appreciation of scenes and events taking place around us and what is often overlooked by others. Today, anyone can pick up a camera and take a decent photo. The trick, is to create images that maintain the viewer’s attention and open the floodgate of emotions and, of course, being able to do this over and over again. Does the price of a camera matter in ways that it affects the quality of the picture? A large part of a photo shoot for me is to visualize the shoot before it is actually happens. The more expensive a camera the higher the This is a very important part of obtaining quality the photographs the camera is capable successful results, and helps me to communicate of taking. Of course, a high-priced with my shoot team as to how I feel the concept camera in the hands of a person that does not should be laid out. During this process, I also de- know how to fully exploit the capabilities of such pend on the creative input of all the members of a camera renders the camera not much more my team including my stylist, make up artist, and effective than lower priced cameras. That said, hairstylist. The casting of the right model is very the opposite is also true. A cheaply made $20 important as well. If you have one weak link in this camera can take extraordinary images in the process your whole structure can easily collapse. right hands of a skilled photographer. How do you feel about budget cuts in schools in regards to art classes? It is always unfortunate to see budget cuts for any arts programs in schools. Most school boards and tax payers tend to view the “more practical” of subjects being taught such as math, sciences and the humanities as more important to the core education of a child or young adult. It’s the money spent for arts programs that train generations of artists who create for the rest of us. During the highs and lows of the lives of people within any society, we usually turn to the works of artists to celebrate the highs and to soothe us during the lows.
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Would you consider photography an addiction or passion to you? Definitely a passion!
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Jennifer Mrozek Weiss www.jennifermrozekweiss.com
“I have always been drawn to create, because it lifts me to another level of consciousness and what I call a meditative state. It helps me to escape from the daily pressures and stresses of life. It also helps me to celebrate life and the beauty around me.� Jennifer Mrozek Weiss is an abstract artist whose interest in art began when she was very young. When an art teacher in middle school suggested to her that she had talent, her passion to create art took over. Jennifer vividly remembers drawing in class, and then getting home from school and going directly to her canvas to paint! Her friends and family have always admired and encouraged her artwork. Often times, Jennifer is working on two or three paintings at once. She is a self-taught artist, who tried taking art classes, but felt that they were detrimental to her production and creativity. Jennifer has always trusted and believed that what she has inside is all she needs to produce the results she desires. Jennifer notes, Jennifer has been an acrylic-on-canvas painter for most of her life, and her style is surrealistic & abstract in nature. Her paintings encompass unique and often repetitive forms that dance with color, balance, rhythm, and personality. The majority of her work starts without a prior concept in mind, and the piece develops as her mind instructs her hand to move the paint brush. Lines develop into bolder shapes that take on color & balance. Jennifer produces artwork in flowing forms, integrated with energy and movement. Her work often has a sense of spirit flowing within it, and is pre-meditated through drawings that stand out to her. She is a colorist; the majority of her paintings and drawings reflect extravagant use of color. She incorporates colors that range in varying intensities from high to low and screaming to silent. There is a feeling of harmony within Jennifer’s artwork; an internal discipline which color and forms are to obey. Her creativity and her drive to expose it to the world is a powerful purpose in her life. Everything is Art
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Garet Harz Born and raised in the Midwest, Garet Harz is a contemporary American artist who draws great inspiration from the natural and creative worlds. With early pieces that illustrate the depths of abstract and conceptual imagery, he dedicated significant time in 2011 to an extensive body of abstractions done primarily with ink on paper. While many of these originals are being explored for further development, various selections have been enhanced by a signature method of photography and mild software filtering, offering a unique fine art collection with modern design appeal. An aura of literary fantasy combines with new concepts and continues to challenge the potential and flexibility of the material. “A resourceful balance is key when organizing compositions with little to no direction out of the starting gate. By saying a piece is randomly conceptual, I observe the developing structure in various stages in order to determine what impressions might be hidden within the line work. Adaptation and free experiment are critical to breaking new ground.� www.garetharz.viewbook.com
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Vanessa Gomez has been a photographer for 5
years. She was born and raised in Modesto, CA, has lived in San Francisco and Berkeley, and now resides in Santa Cruz. Growing up, she was told that being an artist was only a hobby and not something at which you can make a living. That did not stop her from going to art school in San Francisco and soaking up everything she could about the world of photography. Her main goal is to inspire others, and travel the world sharing her photos. “My photographs are my Rushmore. They represent me not only as an artist, but as a friend, lover, sister, and daughter. I admire the world around me. From the moment I chose my first camera, I fell madly in love with photography. The fact that I can freeze time is such an overwhelmingly beautiful feeling. The images I shoot are simply what I see through my camera. Nothing more, nothing less. My goal as a photographer is for the viewer to want to be in my images, for them to want to know more about that moment, to understand it. I'd love for them to look at my photos and see what I saw, smell what I smelled, and experience the moment as I did, through my lens, transported to a moment forever captured by my hand.�
www.flickr.com/photos/sloppyness/
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Kate E. Brown
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Kate Elizabeth Brown grew up in Alameda, California. From a very early age, she had an affinity for art. Kate’s always been known as artistic, highly sensitive and kind. She has sought to express her feelings, thoughts and ideas through art, hoping someday to connect with people on a deeper level through her work. She has tried many mediums: painting, acting, crafting, writing, music, photography and videography. Although she enjoyed all types of artistic expression, Kate has always come back to photography, abstract paintings and monotype printing. Today, she calls Moraga, California, home and will attend San Francisco State University in the fall. "My art is a representation of pure emotion. It's riddled with mystery and passion, and I want people to look at it and feel the emotion I'm trying to portray. I want to bring to the surface all those feelings that people try to lock away. I want my artwork to inspire, I want people to feel. I'm hoping that by putting myself and my work out there, I'll be able to speak to someone through my art. That is the most important thing I can do with my life.� www.kebphotos.org
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Mike Ebrahimi
www.EbrahimiCreations.com
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Mike Ebrahimi grew up in Los Angeles, California At the age of 20, when he moved to San Diego to attend college. He double-majored in political science and sociology, and double minored in liberal arts and psychology. After graduating from the University of California San Diego, he attended law school at the University of San Diego. Mike's interest in art goes back as far as he can remember. At 13-years-old, his mother put him in an after-school art class where he was taught the basics of painting. During the short period he attended art classes, he was exclusively exposed to realistic and classic art, which did not interest him very much. Mike created his first abstract painting by the time he was 15. Since then, he has explored several styles of art, including Post-Modern, Abstract, Expressionism, Surrealism, Cubism, Realism, and Pop-Art, as well as a combination of them. The vast majority of Mike Ebrahimi's artwork is modern/contemporary. He uses acrylic paints in most of his paintings, although he does use oil as well. He particularly likes using acrylic because of the ease of use and rapid drying time, and the wide array of textures that can be added to acrylic paints. With the exception of Mike's earlier realistic art, he exclusively uses frameless stretched canvases. He has always been moved by the beauty of women, and has attempted to capture this beauty in many of his series of paintings. Mike's most recent series is the “Sexy” series, which was very well received by people. “Sexy” was originally intended to be a 5 painting series, but he received so many requests for more "Sexy" series paintings that he added a Part II, which consists of an additional 5 paintings. Mike is extremely excited about the three new series of paintings that he is currently working on.
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Alicia H Torres www.aliciahtorres.com
Annabelle Frenette www.annabellephotographe.com
Antonio Perez-Melero www.perezmelero.com
Barbara Palka Winek www.palkawinek.art.pl
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Barbara Simonson www.barbarasimonson.com
Donna Manning www.facebook.com/donnamanning
Elena Bussotti www.gigarte.com/elenabussotti
Erina Hattori www.wisteriaartclub.com
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Flora www.flora-artiste-peintre.com
Gordon Holden www.gordonholden.com
Hayden Bone www.haydenart.com.au
Henrik Saar www.henriksaar.dk
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Hope Hebert www.hopehebert.com
JosĂŠ_Mendes_de_Almeida www.mendesdealmeida.com
Ken Macklin www.kenmacklin.com
Milagros Melendez www.milagrosart.com
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Per Siwmark www.persiwmark.com
Spyros Kolyvas http://spyroskolyvas-art.blogspot.com
Varsha Thakkar www.voguearts.com
Yves Gabriel www.yvesgabriel.com
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