The content that I want to explore
this fall is encompassed in the cliché idea of “we don’t know who we are, if we don’t know where we’ve
been. There is no future without the present, and there is no present without
the past. I am interested in antique craftsmanship- how everything used to be made
of such higher quality, which is why I use antique photos in my work. One of my
favorite things to do (especially since it doubles as research) is to browse
the many antique malls in my hometown. I love seeing unique pieces, and
multiples of more common pieces to compare the life the individual pieces have
had. The unique pieces are usually more valuable, but every once in a while, I
find a piece that I cannot leave out of my collection and must bring home. I
believe the favorite piece in my collection that I have purchased (not that was
given to me- those have a special class) is a golden quail. He is basically
just a large paperweight, but I feel as he is perched high on my bookcase that
he watches over me while I sleep, and always feels honored to be photographed.
My family is a unique piece. There
is no other family in the world like me, just like there is no other person the
same as me. All of the millions of pieces of DNA complete my gene pool,
resulting in a completely unique individual that has never seen the world
before. This personal history that I only share with those that I have a blood
relation to, is almost like a secret kept from the world. There are so many
amazing stories, and amazing people, that I want to share with the world.
I
want to use historical photography and Photoshop as the mediums of my thesis.
This is important to me because I consider myself, above all, a photographer
more than I consider myself an artist. It is what I love to do and fits how I
want to work.
For
a long time, my work did not have a direction. I knew I loved antiquing, and I
loved personal history, but I didn’t even begin to think those two things could
be combines. I have taken mostly digital studios, and have become someone
proficient in Photoshop, making all kinds of digital based work. I love some
antiques because they are so beautiful to look at. Historical photos hold a
place in my heart, because they combine my two loves. When I started my antique
still lives, it was because I didn’t know where to go, and I started with
something aesthetically pleasing. Combining these ideas may very well be the
pinnacle of my work thus far.
In
my original plan, this was not my main idea. So often I find myself wandering
onto tangents and regretting abandoning the original idea. This idea, combining
most of my artistic interests, will fill me with satisfaction mostly because I
will be creating work that is not only cathartic. So many of my peers feel like they have to SAY SOMETHING in
their work, while I am usually just trying to keep my head about water while
making work. I feel that I am finally at the point that I can make something
that is not just for myself, or for my classmates, but for everyone to
understand and enjoy.
The
reason I am changing directions is because I am overwhelmed. Working on three
separate endeavors was too much for me. I am combining my thesis work with my
Advance Photo Class work. I could not complete all three projects (I have
another studio as well) at the level I wanted. Instead of quantity, I want
quality.
