Close Up On Documentation Artist Julie Staub

I'm thrilled to share this profile of friend and fellow artist Julie Staub, whom I've had the pleasure of knowing for about 25 years since our days in junior high school. I remember Julie for her love of taking photographs, involvement in year book committees and generating cool photo collages, so seeing her develop her craft into the art form it is today is inspiring! I also admire how Julie has taken the energy of living in the bustling urban art world of New York City and used it as nourishment for her roots back in Iowa City. Her photo career is beginning to flourish among the Midwest atmosphere as she challenges herself with projects like Iowa City 365: taking and posting pictures of the city online every day.

I was blessed with the opportunity to hang out with her several times while in Iowa City this summer, tagging along for some photo shoots and talking about her creative process. I look forward to posting a part two on Julie next week with more about the importance of taking photo walks. This week, she answered the following questions:

The following pictures are all courtesy of Julie Staub Photography, except where noted.

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

I call myself a documentation artist. I feel like my role as a photographer is to record something that is naturally unfolding in front of me. That could be a child at play or a sunset. I am recording that moment with my camera. I don't want to be noticed as a photographer, my subjects usually don't notice me or are able to ignore me. I don't want to disrupt or manipulate the scene. Just document it.

2. How did you first get involved in photography?

I have print photos from jr. high. I was the paparazzi of my friends and was always in their face snapping away. But those were more about snapshots. I got serious about black and white film in high school from an artistic angle, took a b&w film class abroad in italy and was more than hooked! Dropped out for a while after school when I didn't have access to darkroom...got back into digital photography with my camera phone in 2005. Once I started to upload to flickr with my digital camera phone, I knew I needed to give the digital world a shot. After I got my first digital point and shoot in 2006, that's when I really started to document EVERYTHING!

Julie Staub

Diane Arbus

3. Who/What are some of your favorite influences/inspirations?
Diane Arbus and Annie Leibovitz stand out in my mind. I've always appreciated Diane's movie stills and Annie just has a way with portraits that stands out from anything else i've seen.

4. How would you describe an ideal or preferred artistic experience for gathering photographs?
I prefer that my camera is always on me and that if I see something that inspires me, I can shoot it. I don't like to create scenes and I don't like trying to set up a shot. Shoots for me when done are all intuitive. I put the people in a scene, say an apple orchard or a brick wall with ivy on it and have them act natural...and light...it's always about light! You shoot WITH the light, not the other way around. Dusk is the best for beautiful light!

5. What is the most important element/condition for your artistic practice?
 LIGHT! That is what I am attracted to. That's how I see a photo...is through the use of NATURAL light. All of my shots are based off that. Plus, I love the element of weather. Fog, dew, frost, clouds, snow, etc. all add an exciting element to my shots.

6. Do you have any special routines or rituals that you incorporate into your work?
Always carry my camera. My 365 project forces me to do so, but I usually have some sort of recording device on me at all times. My iphone is a great back up!

7. Do you find challenges in your 365 Project?
Yes, but the issues have more to do with my mood than my desire to take pictures. I don't always like to carry my bulky camera with me, but I will have it in my car ready if I'm not holding it. I also am just so tired after my day job that I don't have the energy to "create" a shot. I strive on variety and interesting shots. I'm not going to take a picture just to take a picture for the day...I'm hard on myself as an artist to make my shot something I personally LOVE and if i'm not in the mood to be creative...that's a struggle. I also struggle with the fact that I like to "capture" my images rather than "create" them. Meaning, if I am not inspired by the light, I am not inspired to shoot. This gets tricky when I haven't done my shot and it's now dark out. It makes my shot for the day that much harder, but that's when I go and search for the "light" - whatever is available to me!

8. What’s next for you? What do you want in the future?
I am a creative octopus, I have my arms in so many directions and I can't execute my ideas fast enough! Right now, my focus is on generating some buzz around my 365 images. I am in talks with the Englert about doing a show before the holidays in their gallery space and also creating some cards, calendars and small prints available there and other local venues to sell for the holidays. I want to market to UI alumni and others who are nostalgic for IC. I will also make a book and sell it once the project is complete next summer. It has always been my idea to donate some of those profits to local charities and arts organizations like the Englert (Theater in Iowa City). I also want to play the technology game and develop an app using my images, perhaps a daily calendar with positive affirmations.
Oh! and a childrens book using my images as well! In the future, I would like my own studio space to house my art pieces and do product shoots. I think the penthouse of the Vetro would work just nicely! I also want to move my photoshoots into a program that lets me put the still images all together like a short movie and when played quickly, you get a sense of the story that is being told by the images. I do that now, but I want to get better at using the program. I set the images to music and burn to DVD and then you can watch it on your TV. I'd would also like to do more commercial work and be paid to travel various places for a shoot. That has always been a dream of mine!!

 
Based on the great body of work and dedication, those dreams are likely to soon become reality!
Check out more of Julie's documentation art at:

http://www.juliestaubphoto.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Staub-Photography/79221007302

Color Restriction: An Ode to Spring Yellows

Nothing heralds the arrival of Spring to me quite like the color yellow! It comes like a daring shock after months of winter’s muted tones, as if Nature wants to grab our attention and give us a much needed shot of hope that warmer days are coming. Daffodils/Narcissus flowers, tulips, and little blossoming buds on trees paint the canvas of a spring that hasn’t popped complete, but holds promise. They are the early signals for the multitude of colors that are on their way — and we can look forward to a full spectrum of bright colors that will thrive in the weather to come.

Because of it’s brightness (like our yellow sun), we’ve adopted yellow into our society to convey a sense of urgency - utilizing it for warnings signs, alerts, and hazards. It draws our attention. In spite of it’s cheerful dominance, it’s also become associated with cowardice. Interestingly, this most likely has to do with how yellow is a color associated with illness ( like yellow jaundice) or fear (like peeing your pants from fright*). Again, it’s a sort of natural sign to pay attention, to be careful and cautious, which is part of what being a coward is all about. But the boldness of the color yellow itself, is hardly cowardly, merely the associations we attach to it.

Oh - and let’s not forget about bees, wasps, and other animals who use yellow as a strong statement to would-be predators; watch out!

Whatever the use, yellow definitely makes a striking statement. As I mentioned in February’s Ode to Winter Whites, I enjoy how much variety can still be enjoyed in the restriction of the color palette. And so, I present to you a few recent photos that celebrate and emphasize the color yellow while we anxiously await for Spring to bloom fully.

Of course, yellow awaits us in the Autumn... the changing leaves being used by nature to herald the arrival of Winter...but let's not dwell on that, and enjoy the glorious season we're in right now!

Color Restriction: An Ode to Winter Whites

I know from experience we can get overwhelmed by all the choices presented us in creating new artwork, we sometimes want to throw everything we've got into it; all the colors, all the techniques, all the possibilities. But too much of a good thing can muddy the overall look of a work. We think of the word "restriction" in a negative and limiting fashion, but sometimes it helps bring clarity and focus to the art.  Much can be done with a limited palette, particularly in regard to colors. When you impose limits, you define the perimeters of your work, which guides the process and allows you to get the most out of it.

Winter is one of those glorious seasons that strips away much of the color in the temperate climates, offering up an opportunity to enjoy the starkness and pave the way towards a burst of color and life come spring. Winter forces us into limits, especially when it blankets everything in a glorious blanket of white snow that to some people is an annoyance, but to others quite magical.

Many famous artists have made a name for themselves by painting stark white canvases, which at first glance are straightforward, but at further examination offer a fine amount of variety in the detail. So try limiting yourself in some manner, whether in color, in your building materials, or subject matter.

The following are pictures from recent travels back to a good old Iowa winter, which convey a very limited color scheme of winter whites:

In the meadow we can build a...

Back alley icicles

Geese along the Iowa River

An ice flow

Wing over Iowa landscape

A river winding

Smokestacks

Do you catch my drift?

Don't eat the yellow snow!

CRAZY FOR A FOX (Part 1): KRYS

Krys Fox, photographer and performance artist, poses at his apartment on 12-15-10

One of the most important elements to have along a creative journey is community. Whether the experiences on the path of life offer up challenging twists where friendship encourages us to move through them, or exciting turns where friendship to share it with enhances the excitement, building a connection with people that have different views on life offers up many rewards. The weaving together of different views enriches our palette as we come to understand what drives other people on their own personal journey, giving us the ability to reflect upon ours with a new perspective. Human nature often seeks to make comparisons or compete with each other, but when we can see beyond our ego’s individual needs and see each of us as manifestations of the same cosmic singularity, as one creative force with many variations, we can revel in and resonate with the lives of others.

Throughout history there are great examples where groups of artists gathered to share ideas, contributing to a cross-pollination of energies. This concept has always been near and dear to my heart, and when I see it in this light, I really get to admire the qualities that make us all unique flowers blossoming in the garden of life.

Krys & a flower blossoming in LA circa 2003

So, after that introduction, we come to a profile of another dear colleagues on this creative journey: Krys Fox. This week, Krys celebrates his first gallery opening in his new home of Brooklyn, a group show with some other talented artist called WOLF PACK opening tomorrow February 10 --  see WOLFPACK INVITE
If you are in the NYC area, this is not one to miss, as the synergy of these artists and the “pack” they hang with is electric and palpable through the advance buzz on the internet. I wish I could be there, but can admire the energy from afar.

WOLFPACK: Scooter LaForge, Walt Cessna & Krys Fox photographed by Devin Elijah Bklyn 10

In the ten plus years I’ve known Krys I’ve always admired his bold and unusual approach to life and the great charisma and style he exudes while doing it. He’s is a living work of art, reflected on the surface through his flare for fashion, make-up, hair-style, and tattoos, but also deeply present in his adventurous spirit and bold heart inside. As much as he has been influenced by the art world around him, he has influenced others in their styles. But few can pull off the edgy flare like Krys can. His unique look and ability to pull any second-hand frock into haute couture has made him a most excellent model for many photographers, and come to great use as a performance artist on stage. But Krys also applies his keen eye towards styling models for his own photography, and the various make-up and distortions he gives to them brings out the vulnerable and mysterious. You can always tell a model has been given the unique Krys Fox treatment...

Modeling after being "Krysed up" in 2000

When I met Krys he flattered me by asking me to model for him, and thus a great connection was made. It was one of those mutually attracted vibes that was discovered to really be a friendship, an admiration for a fellow creative flower in the garden. Our pollination was through art, and after seeing just how amazing his photography was from that session and the pictures in his portfolio, I knew Krys needed to have his own gallery show, but neither of quite had the funds. But the intention was put out into the Universe, and answered. We worked with a producing partner interested in helping contribute to the printing and framing his works for his first gallery opening at Phyllis’ Garage in 2001.

Krys Fox Photography at Phyllis' Garage 2001

I’ll be talking a lot about Phyllis’ Garage in the months to come, for this year marks its 10 year anniversary celebration, PGX and the theme is Re*Connection, a reunion to bring together some of the original artists of the performance and art space both physically and virtually online. More information can be found at: http://pgxproductions.blogspot.com/

Jeff, Krys, & Jason (the three producers) at Phyllis' Garage 2001

I feel it’s important for artists to also be patrons of the arts when possible. I would urge everyone to experience this along their creative paths and make it part of their palette. To have been both a model and co-producer (with Jeff Roberts), then see Krys’ amazing works of early photography hanging up on the walls of the Phyllis' Garage gallery space I co-created (with R. Sky Palkowitz) was a great thrill. To see him continuing to evolve and create his photography, taking on new models for his new show, furthers that thrill. Krys and his art was meant to shine, I've just been lucky to get to have been a small part of it during my own path. There may be a bit of a selfish rush one could find in that, but there’s also a pure bliss that comes from watching a friend cross-pollinating anew with others and blossoming!

It's marvelous to have watched Krys' development take shape. He applies his spirit to everything he does, mashing up bits of culture with a great dash of himself to spice up his work to give it that unique Krys flavor. Wherever he goes, he dives into the scene becoming a well-known part of it. His recent work had definitely been invigorated by the energy of New York and his partner and friends there, but the talent is all his and it comes through in every image. I look forward to what's next.

"Krysed up" again in 2003

Keep your eyes and hearts open. While you work on your own art, see what else is out there that moves you. Enrich your life by deepening your connection and support of other artists. Be a conduit of the Universe for manifesting what is destined. Make it a goal this year to model for a photographer, pose for a painter, sponsor a project, market an event, or gather a group meeting; whatever form it takes — cross-pollinate.

So onward brother Krys! BLOSSOM!

To keep track of Krys Fox’s work, follow his photography blog at: http://krysfox.tumblr.com/

And check out WOLF PACK:
http://www.artslant.com/ny/events/show/145507-wolfpack

Krys at his Phyllis' Garage opening in 2001

Krys' works on the wall at the LAGLC Village in 2004

Another Krys pic from our 2000 photo session