Q:Tell us about your younger years relating to art ...
As a child I was in the indefinite mode of imagination and creativity.
Constantly drawing, painting, sculpting with clay, participating in the local
theater, I even had a knack for puppet shows! Art was a big part of my life in
all shapes and forms. My parents also made it a point to take me to museums,
plays, sign me up for classes involving the arts and really encourage that part
of my personality. I owe a lot to them for allowing me to pursue my passions
with no reservations.
Q:How did you decide to work full time on your art?
After college, where I received my Bachelor's degree in Fine Art
Photography, I had an abundance of prints from projects and my own experiments.
I decided to open up an online shop to try and clean house a bit. After I sold
my first piece, it was a mad addiction. Since that first sale, I have
transformed my images beyond the realm of 2D prints and created a large line of
functional art such as clocks, lamps, jewelry, cards, and other unique gifts
based exclusively on my Polaroids. The shop took off within just a few months
of opening and it's been on the steady uphill growth ever since. I still get a
rush with every sale, with every happy customer, with every crafty relationship
I get to form in this wonderful handmade life!
Q: What is the soundtrack playing behind your work?
My soundtrack is on constant shuffle. Throw in a little modern folk with
some old classics, a few dance-ables, a dash of 80s and 90s and that's a good
start! My music is easy to listen to, makes you feel good, and you always know
the words. I try to make my work reflect the same - easy to enjoy, fun,
colorful and dream-like with some hints to the old vintage classics we will
always love.
Q:What are your three favorite things in the world?
I don't know if I could sum it up in just three! But I would say the
people/animals I love, my music and my Polaroid camera equipment. I can't
imagine life being complete without them.
Q: What sort of advise would you give to someone starting out in your field?
Go with your gut. In this fast-paced digital world, I knew in my heart that
my place was with analogue photography. People think I'm crazy and if I had a
dime for everytime I heard "where on earth do you find the film?" or "it's so
expensive, I don't know how you can do it!" or "isn't there a Photoshop filter
that does that?" I would be a rich lady indeed. The thing is, there is nothing
quite like film out there. The way it captures light, the dreamy images, the
unexpected mistakes that become miracles, the anticipation, and the awe I always
feel of watching that image appear out of nowhere right in the palm of your hand
- waiting for what feels like ages for that old-school "instant" gratification.
It tries your patience, it pushes you to new limits, it makes you truly think
about what you're about to do. And most importantly, it still feels like
magic. I knew in my gut this is where I belonged and it's taken me farther than
I ever dreamed...and I know this is only the beginning.
