— The featured artist of our landmark 50th edition of Living the Photo Artistic Life magazine, South African AWAKE artist August Naude has brought tremendous enthusiasm to our group the past several years, and I’m elated to be able to finally interview August here on Quill and Camera …
Q. So what was it that got you started in digital photo artistry?
I have always loved photography and art in general, from around the age of ten. After photographing (maybe too many) weddings, (maybe too many) landscapes, and so much wildlife, I felt my next step after retirement from a successful corporate career would be to specialize in portraiture, which is why I spent a year studying “Intense Portrait Photography.”
This was followed by some wonderful studio work, which evolved into my love for black & white photography. And in my search for the best possible training in this form of art, I miraculously stumbled upon a wonderful course: “Creative Black & White Photo Artistry” by Sebastian Michaels. I somehow knew this was to be the beginning of a new journey about to unfold.
Being in Sebastian’s “lane,” I considered it the logical next step to do the “Photoshop Artistry” training which was not only an eye opener but took me to places I could only have dreamt about. My creativity and almost “free thinking” started to gain momentum, which was so exciting and fulfilling that enrolling in the year-long “AWAKE” training was a no-brainer, backed up by the fantastic “21 Days To Creative Abundance” program and subsequent initiatives like the KAIZEN Group which is really about continuous artistic improvement.
So here I am today, on a wonderful artistic journey — and enjoying every minute of it!
Q. Where do you think you get your inspiration from?
Simply working toward creating a successful image and just living in that moment, being “inside of the image” as it were, inspires me on so many levels, driving me on to create the next and the next and the next … I can’t get enough of it!
Then, without any doubt, my inspiration is always amplified by the never-ending stream of extraordinary art by my fellow AWAKE alumni! You just need to page through any of the 50 editions of Living The Photo Artistic Life and you’ll have an idea of what we see each day posting in the private AWAKE Facebook groups. And believe me, seeing that work roll out by all of these amazing artists, one cannot help but be inspired.
Finally, featuring in the Living The Photo Artistic Life magazine myself now is just so special in itself, and actually being the featured artist in the 50th edition no less — that was easily one of the major and most inspirational highlights of my artistic journey!
Q. How do you begin creating an image? Do you have an idea already finished in your head before you start, or do you develop it as you go along and just see where it takes you?
I think this is an important question as one’s approach towards creating any image can either hold you back or set you free.
More often than not, I almost always commence with some “message” or thought that I wish to portray in my images. Initially I try to stick to that idea and I work hard toward bringing it about, with the intention of obtaining the result I was thinking about originally. So, yes, many times I do have an idea in my head prior to starting with a creation … and yet, that being said, the idea is rarely if ever complete before starting, and the piece can easily take an entirely unexpected turn as it unfolds.
Given my passion for portraiture, I love to browse through all the RAW photos I have. After a time, one or two of them will just speak to me and spark an idea, so I pull those into Photoshop and I set to work.
Initially I strive to create the atmosphere or the mood I hope to portray. And then the artistry takes over and just carries me to places I cannot always describe. Sometimes it leads me off in directions I couldn’t have anticipated, especially when I open up to my muse and just let her take over. When this happens, sometimes a sort of sombre mood or line of thinking ends up switching over to some quite delightful and joyful place I hadn’t planned on visiting at all (which, incidentally, always inspires me further).
Q. How long do you work on an image?
I think my record in creating an image is about eight days but more often I wrap it up in a day or two. Then there are other images that literally take me only a few hours to create. So it really varies.
I should add that when I work, I typically dedicate full days to create my images. I pick the days carefully because I wish to immerse myself and avoid interruptions.
I rarely work on more than one image at a time. There are days when I “park” an image while going on with another. I then return to the unfinished compositions later. But something that I have learned (or maybe a principle I’ve adopted) is simply “Use it or lose it.” If I simply cannot get a composition right, I move on. At first, this was not easy but as you grow and as you live this life, you cannot allow yourself to become stuck. Momentum is everything.
Q. What are your views on sharing your work? Do you take in a variety of opinions on a piece before presenting it to a wider audience, or do you just put it out there?
I don’t worry about collecting opinions. Simply because they don’t much matter to me. One person will appreciate an image and another won’t. That’s just how it is. It might sound harsh, but I really do not care. What is important to me is that I enjoy the artistic life I’m creating for myself. That’s all that matters.
Also, people will sometimes ask me what my images portray or “mean.” I always reply with a question of my own: “What do YOU see in the image?” Whatever the reply, I just say “Good!”
I do appreciate audiences who take a moment to think when they look at my work, but truly, their opinions ultimately don’t matter to me because that space is theirs and not mine. It’s not something I can control anyhow. So I don’t worry about it.
Q. What does “Living The Photo Artistic Life” mean to you?
For me, photography and the continuous creation of art is “Living The Photo Artistic Life.” But, more importantly (and I cannot over emphasize this), it’s really about creating that life right here, right now, and always!
I am extremely passionate about this, as “living the photo artistic life” elevates me to realms of extreme joy, artistic passion, and intense fulfillment.
Live the moment. Every moment. Take it all in and feel it.
And as an artist, it’s so often about capturing some special moment or feeling in an image … And crafting that image will create another, even better moment to savor.
But you have to work at this. It is hard work. It requires true commitment. But it is possible!
Q. What’s your next step as an artist? Where do you wish to take your work next?
I really need to get more of my work out there. I have been participating in group exhibitions in various countries across the globe and that has been great fun. Two of our local newspapers published articles about me and my work and that too has really made a difference in the visibility of my art.
My dream is still to have a local exhibition in the Cape Winelands, maybe paired with a good wine tasting.
But for now, I want to work hard to get a local gallery to facilitate a proper exhibition.
Q. Any advice for other aspiring digital artists?
First, go through the Photoshop Artistry course and then enroll in AWAKE. It’s hard work but you will never look back.
And whatever you do, decide up front to really LIVE the artistic life. And that is only possible through true dedication, putting in the hours, and making a serious commitment. No lingering. No doubting yourself. Just seize it.
Because this kind of life IS possible! The joy and fulfillment emanating from “living the photo artistic life” is truly beyond anything most can even begin to imagine.
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You can view more of August’s work on our portfolio site at https://artboja.com/art/akrxnj/