— The featured artist of the 57th issue of Living the Photo Artistic Life magazine is Scottish AWAKE artist Dori Fleming. It’s my pleasure to share my interview with Dori here on Quill and Camera . . .
Q: Maybe start by telling us a little about yourself?
I began my working life as a wedding photographer, using a twin lens reflex camera. This was back in the film days. I was always happier ‘behind the scenes’ however, including retouching black and white portraits with a scalpel to remove blemishes and wrinkles to produce ‘Hollywood style’ results. One slip of the scalpel and the print would be discarded and retouching started afresh on a new print. Luckily I had great patience and a steady hand!
After about 20 years I took myself off to university and gained a chemistry degree. Unfortunately I never did get to use the degree but gained much from the experience and have never regretted the study time.
More recently I did do some landscape photography with my Nikon D600 for my own pleasure, but was left frustrated that although they were lovely scenes, there was nothing special or different about them.
I would love to have been able to draw and paint, but I haven’t an aptitude for either. After seeing some examples of digital artistry, I was fascinated by them. When I first tried to get to grips with Photoshop I tried book learning, but was frustrated as I realized I was only brushing the surface of the program. I went through a few of the free ‘Phlearn’ tutorials and started to see a light at the end of the tunnel, albeit just a glimpse. I then had the opportunity to join Sebastian Michaels’s Photoshop Artistry course and my artistic journey truly began! Joining Photoshop Artistry (and going on from there to his AWAKE and KAIZEN groups) has proved to be the best of decisions.
Q: What inspires you as an artist?
I find never-ending inspiration in the amazing work of my fellow artists in AWAKE and KAIZEN — so often I look at a piece of their art and think, ‘Darn it, I wish I’d thought of that!’ And I so often find myself blown away by the beauty or imagination of a piece posted in our private groups.
So much inspiration comes from the wonderful tutorials there as well. To see and learn how an amazing piece of art has been brought to life is tremendously inspiring. How can one resist applying what has been learned?
Actually creating a piece of art is its own inspiration too — you want (need!) to create more!
Inspiration can be found in the world all around us: in nature, in paintings, in a book or a song. The list is endless. Once you begin living an artistic life, it’s amazing how even a small detail can inspire you.
Q: How do you approach your work?
Sometimes I have a definite idea in mind, but if I don’t I browse through my stash of resources — models, backgrounds, etc. — and something will speak to me. Then off I go.
I usually start with the main subject or model, and build from there, adding and toning backgrounds, then layering in adding additional objects and elements to enhance the story and mood.
So often I’ll find that a piece ‘takes over’ and I’ll be drawn in a direction far different from my original concept. I think that, for a lot of pieces, being flexible and allowing the workflow to progress almost organically can free your mind. Producing your art can be almost meditative, the piece appearing to form well-nigh magically before your eyes!
I sometimes struggle with the post production, trying several different effects, colour toning, etc., until I’m happy with the finished piece. For post work I use the Nik collection primarily, sometimes ON1. So many variations are possible! Sometimes it’s better to put the piece of work aside at this point and leave it for a day or two to enable yourself to see it with fresh eyes.
Q: Where do you go from here with your art?
I have been delighted to have my work published in issues of the magazine Living The Photo Artistic Life, the highlight being showcased as the featured artist recently and having my art on the cover. I’m still amazed to have achieved that!
From here I would like to have my work seen by a wider audience and hope to be able to sell my work eventually. But that’s a challenge for another day. For now I just want to keep improving as an artist. I want to put more of a message in my art. Sometimes I wonder if I should begin assigning titles to my art, though perhaps that might that hold someone back from seeing something that is more meaningful to them.
Q: Any advice or tips?
Practice! And if you enroll in Photoshop Artistry, takes notes as you go through the tutorials! I didn’t do this when I began — too eager to watch the next tutorial! I soon found the error in this. You simply cannot remember the wealth of techniques and advice you are given, and when you want to employ a specific technique but can’t quite remember all the steps it’s so frustrating! You can always watch the tutorials again, but you need to know which tutorial you need to watch!
Don’t be afraid to post your work within supportive Facebook groups. Ours within AWAKE and KAIZEN are wonderful, and if you’re lucky enough to be part of those you will find only positivity and support, and advice too if you ask for it. I’m reminded of a quotation from Sydney Smith: ’A great deal of talent is lost to the world for the want of a little courage.’
Remember though, it’s YOUR art, and if you love it that’s all that matters.
There will be times when you feel stuck and worry that your muse has abandoned you. Just remember that this IS temporary and it happens to everyone. Though it’s disheartening at the time, this is when Sebastian says you should just play — don’t have a goal in mind, don’t take time to plan, just experiment with different images and play around with adjustment layers, filters, assorted techniques. Even if you only spend a few minutes on each piece. Just have fun! Perhaps something will come of it and you may wish to work on it further, or perhaps not. It doesn’t matter — you’ll take the pressure off yourself, and you’ll open up the possibility of something creative happening.
Q: What does ‘living the photo artistic life’ mean to you?
I could never have imagined where this journey would take me. “Living The Photo Artistic Life” has awakened the artist I didn’t know existed within me. I’ve always been quite observant and appreciative of the world around me, but now I’m more aware and understand how what I see can be expressed through my art. So many possibilities! Creating a piece of art gives me great enjoyment and, when I’m happy with the result, immense satisfaction. And I continue to learn every day. That’s part of it too. Because this is not a journey with a destination in mind, this is a journey of endless exploration and delightful challenge!