Define art in your own words .
I ’ d describe my art as emotional , dark , and surreal at times with deep & vibrant colors . I like to give my images a certain dark glow . I believe in creating images that present a story , convey mood , and inspire the viewer . Shadows are spaces where light has yet to touch and are themselves a result of light . Noir denotes the color black ; and as a photographer , my job is to navigate the darkness with my camera by gathering light . Some may see darkness as nothing , but a true creative sees darkness for what it really is : a blank canvas . I gather light with my camera and use it to reveal a story through photographs .
Can you recall the moment you became interested in photography ?
Honestly , I can ’ t really remember a time where photography wasn ’ t a part of my life . I was always tech-savvy as a kid so at all the family functions my mom would give me her digital camera and it was my job to take photos all day . I suppose that was where I got my eye for photography . But I didn ’ t really take a serious interest in photography until 2010 when Instagram came out . I got my first DSLR camera at the end of that year .
Where do you draw inspiration ? Name a few pieces of work ( preferably another ’ s ) or artist that inspires you .
Music has been inspiring me more than anything lately . I ’ ve found that most artists are dealing with some level of anxiety and depression and for me music has always been a great escape from that battle . There are artists whose work can take me to a different place and I just translate those vibes to communicate with my emotions , and the result of that conversation is manifested into my art . Some of my favorite musical artists are SZA , PartyNext- Door , Drake , Future , Kehlani , Jhené Aiko , and DVSN . “ Spectrum ” was inspired by SZA ’ s song “ Pray .”
Where are you originally from ? What was growing up like ? Any guilty pleasures or something you are unashamed to admit you ’ re terrified of ?
I was born in Heidelberg , Germany but I was raised in Fayetteville , NC . My parents met in the military , so my childhood was typical of that lifestyle . Right now I ’ m waiting tables and taking photos as much as I can . I ’ m really afraid of being stagnant . I ’ m extremely goal-oriented , and my biggest fear is not growing in some aspect as a person . Especially when it comes to my art . When I ’ m determined to do something , it gets done . I just recently dropped out of college to pursue photography full-time , and I ’ ve accomplished more in photography than in my two years of school , and it ’ s only the beginning . I know photography is what I ’ m supposed to do . It ’ s all I have .
Is there one key concept or theme you ’ ve found consistently expressed in your work or that pops out for you in the work of others ?
The concept of surrealism is something I really pay attention to in artwork . Taking something completely “ normal ” and transforming it into something extraordinary . I love art that has imagination and feeling . Art that can speak to you . Visual language is unique because it transcends everything we as people seek to divide ourselves by : religion , race , sex , social class , etc . People from completely different walks of life can get the same feeling from a photo , and that ’ s amazing . www . creativeartistmagazine . com 19