VOYAGE L.A.

Voyage LA, 30 Jun 2019

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Finkelson.

Christine, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was trained and worked as an actress in my twenties. I took part in many artistic collectives in the theatre, writing, independent movies, and art. However, I always played around with taking photographs. My grandfather started my love of photography at a very young age, so it’s in my blood. I love art. All art. I wish I could paint but I’m a terrible painter, so I decided to use my eye to paint with photographs. I needed to get some training, so I studied at the International Center of Photography while living in New York City. At the time, there wasn’t any digital photography. I feel really lucky that I was trained in the darkroom with black & white and color film. I believe it gave me a lot of tools and an artistic language to utilize. All the photographic digital software is based on that language. I now work primarily with digital capture. I have this romantic notion of going back into the darkroom someday, so I kept all of my equipment. Currently, I’m very passionate about printing with pigment inks on my large format Epson printer. Part of that passion is the ability to print on so many amazing substrates.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My photography is informed by painting. I suppose that’s inherent in all photography. I’m strongly influenced by Surrealism, Dadaism, and Abstract Expressionism (which makes sense growing up around and in New York City.).

Movies also played a big role in my development. The way a cinematographer needs to “set-up” a shot. I’m inspired by the arrangement of all the elements – objects, lighting, the artistic planes, color, and lack of color. I’m very inspired right now by graffiti and music.

My photos are mistaken all the time for abstract paintings or collages, which I love. My work is very improvisational. However, it’s also very structured and planned out. That’s where the printing comes into play. That needs precision. My art starts with the capture and finishes with the printing. It’s really magical to see my work printed out as I envisioned it and on some very beautiful papers – even metal. I have the ability to print on any substrates that will fit between the printer heads and substrate surface. I believe we have surpassed the quality and experimentations one had in the darkroom. It’s very exciting for me.

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
The biggest challenge for artists has and will always be financial. One must do what one must do to make a living and create until selling enough art supports them. Sharing space, equipment, and resources is one solution.

I think the crime of our society against artists currently is that art is not considered necessary to teach in schools at the primary level. This creates skepticism about the legitimacy of being an artist. I think it’s crucial to our humanity. It teaches children at an early age about the beauty in the world, self-expression, and introspection.

The other challenge for many artists is believing in oneself as an artist and being true to one’s vision. To be an artist of any type is to lay bare your soul and exposing yourself. It’s a tricky balance because artists are very sensitive, yet we must have thick skins to keep going. I remind myself that we are all unique and anything I create will have my unique artistic DNA in it. Good or bad. We cannot be afraid to fail. The best part of “working” as an artist is that you get to play and experiment. There will be a lot of crap, and there will be a lot of beauty.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I’m very excited to have a new Studio / Boutique Gallery in the Design District on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach in Southern California. There are many other artists, galleries and independent shops there. I have the opportunity to work and exhibit my art at the Studio. One can see my work on my website or Instagram account. Several of my photographs were licensed to create a mural in the Andaz Hotel in downtown San Diego. I also exhibit in group shows.

Art has always been a necessary part of humanity. I believe art brings beauty into people’s lives and fosters our growth. The best way to support me is to support the Arts in general – all genres.

Contact Info:

      

 

Image Credit:
All photos, Christine Finkelson