— The featured artist of the 66th issue of Living the Photo Artistic Life magazine is Canadian AWAKE artist Cindy Charles. I’m excited to be able to share my interview with Cindy here on Quill and Camera . . .
Q: What was it that got you started in digital photo artistry?
The best way to explain my love of digital art is to probably start with an anecdote from my teenage years which led me to the creative world I live in today. I bought my first 35mm back in college and enrolled in a photography class. Our first assignment was to shoot outdoor pictures. While the rest of the class returned with photos of trees and flowers, I came back with close up pictures of cracked walls, rust on cars, a pile of worn out screws and any interesting texture I could find. I had no idea what the allure was in collecting these images or what I would ever do with these pictures as this was long before Photoshop and computers existed. Needless to say, my professor was not impressed and left me with the final words that resonated in me for years, “Can’t you see your pictures are not like everyone else’s?”
I barely passed the class, but instead of feeling defeated (and being the stubborn person I was), I pursued my passion for shooting the unexpected all the more intensely, taking more pictures than ever and determined to learn as much as I could on my own.
With the introduction of computers and digital cameras, my photography took on a real vigor. I purchased Photoshop and with my limited knowledge of technology began a new journey which opened up all these wonderful possibilities. But it wasn’t until I joined Sebastian Michaels’s Photoshop Artistry course that I learned the real potential of transforming an ordinary picture into a work of art. Then and only then, I saw the magic emerge in my photos.
I’ve been passionately hooked ever since. And wouldn’t you know it, those textures and such that I photographed all those years ago have at long last come to be truly meaningful in my work, as they are now an integral part of the art I create!
Q: What does living a photo artistic life mean to you?
Well … I should probably answer this question by saying, “My name is Cindy Charles and I’ve been diagnosed with PAA (Photoshop Artistry Addiction).”
That’s honestly how I feel. Photo artistry consumes my everyday life and feeds my soul, bringing me immeasurable freedom and joy. Any chance I get, I sit at my computer and create, learn, and experiment with my images.
I love that even at my age discovering photo artistry has proven life-altering. Having the tools and skills to finally be able to express myself has been an incredible outlet for me, a true gift. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved art and had an artistic mentality, but even having dabbled in painting, pottery, drawing, etc., to describe myself as an artist never occurred to me. Nothing has given me more direction and purpose than photo artistry. This is really the first time in my life I can confidently say, “I am an artist.”
Q: How do you approach your work? Do you follow any kind of set process?
My approach depends on which images I’m using. When I’m using all my own images, I usually have a basic idea of what I want to achieve. But the process can still vary. I’m drawn to bold colors and lots of action in my images.
A process I tend to employ quite often when working with my city images is to bring in a minimum of three photos, overlap and reposition them, and experiment with different blend modes. That gets the piece started. I love using this collage approach in my cityscapes, and love bringing in reflections to add depth to the composition. And while it sounds simple enough, this part of the process can prove time consuming as the final arrangement must have (for me anyways) a satisfying sense of cohesion.
When I create art using models, I take a completely different approach. Here I usually have no clear vision going in. I always start with a cool background and extract the model and add her to the canvas. Then I bring in other content that feels as if it might work . . . and when I’m more or less half way through adding layers and more content, I try to think of a title. With a title in place, I’m able to give my image real direction, a purpose, and hopefully a meaning.
Q: What do you see as your next step as an artist?
This has been quite a year so far. Having so much free time allowed me to contemplate what direction I would like to take my art. I would like to stage more exhibits and I would like to organize more photo shoots with my own models. Being chosen as featured artist for the month of August in Living the Photo Artistic Life has been a dream come true and the most amazing thing that has happened to me on my artistic journey. With the newfound confidence this has brought me, I know I will accomplish my goal of becoming even more serious in my pursuits as a photo artist.
Q: Any advice for other aspiring digital artists?
First and foremost, revel in your artistic journey. We all have a fundamental, passionate desire to create and express ourselves. So embrace that, and enjoy the process. Try not to stress, and simply keep learning, practicing every day if possible.
Second — be daring! Try out different styles, experiment with unexpected elements and those rare blend modes that are not used often. You may be surprised with the results. I know I was, on many occasions.
Third, while pursuing your creative path, especially early on, develop a thick skin. Acknowledge that there are sure to be some who won’t get your art. And that’s okay. Just learn to shrug and say, “Oh well.” Those two little words are liberating. They’ve given me the confidence to create what I want with no concern of satisfying everyone.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Andy Warhol, and these are words I live by every single day: “Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”
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