Photography

Q: Tell us about your styling and design work and what first sparked an interest in these creative mediums.

A: I grew up in Palestine in the midst of war. I can’t say I was poor but the nature of life at the time didn’t allow us to have access to many things people take forgranted. For example for christmas, when my mom would setup the tree, we couldn’t just go to a store and find a variety of ornaments, so my mom taught us how to make our own from papermache.

Or when we had to stay home for several days under siege, my mom would keep us busy by showing us how to make marionette puppets, also from papermache, so we can create a play. And when I got my first Barbie, I only had the one dress that came with her, so I started to sew because I wanted her to have a change of outfits like what I saw on TV. I grew up with the notion that anything I can’t buy, I can make with basic materials and a bit of imagination.
more » “Interview with Elena Ismail”

Christopher John Ball is a widely exhibited and published, award winning fine arts photographer, playwright, writer, publisher, curator, arts juror and lecturer. With over 30 years experience as an artist – his work is held within public and private collections worldwide and he is, together with artist Paul Woods, co-founder of The Association of Erotic Artists – an international academic and campaigning body committed to working towards a greater acceptance of the erotic arts whilst defending the genre from the dual threats of censorship and intolerance.

After several years within a commercial photographic background, including running his own studio, Chris became increasingly drawn to the use of photography as a fine arts medium and this, along with exploring the role of the arts within the community and education, has been the direction his work has taken him.

In the 1980’s Chris was a founder member of ‘Action Factory’ – a community arts group, based in Lancashire, created with the aim of democratising and expanding the role of the arts within the community – in particular amongst disadvantaged groups.
Given that he has been disabled since youth – Chris maintains an active role in the campaign to promote disability awareness and rights.
more » “Christopher John Ball – Exclusive Interview”

Jeremy Beswick, the owner of Studio 600, is an English artist, photographer, sculptor and designer.

Q: How long have you been painting (drawing), and what was your first memory of the art process?______ more » “Exclusive Interview with Jeremy Beswick”

Allan Barnes grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a photojournalist. He was a contributing photographer to the New York Times, Detroit Free Press, Spin, and Metropolis Magazine. He has worked as a photographer for over three decades, occasionally holding jobs with corporate and lifestyle publications. He has also worked as a freelance photojournalist and voice-over artist in Mexico DF, Mexico. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Wayne State University and a Master of Arts Degree in Photography from Ohio University.
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Kirsten Miccoli started showing interest in the arts at a very young age. As a girl she would play with her parent’s 35mm camera, taking elaborately constructed self-portraits and exploring the world around her. She fell in love photography and it’s ability to both capture and create moments. In 2010, Kirsten graduated with her BFA from Columbia College Chicago.
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