Artist of the Week XVIII The Express Contest. An interview with the artist Jef Franklin

The "Artist of the Week XVIII - The Express Contest" had revealed for its first prize winner a very talented artist, Jef Franklin with his award-winning photograph, "The Plaza in Infrared". Jef has recently graduated with a degree in studio art and has started building his online collection. In his amazing portfolio, you can find a diversity of themes, from architectural city scenes to landscapes, wildlife and flowers.



By jwp. Would you like to tell us few words about yourself and your winning artwork for introduction.

Jef. I recently graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in studio arts. The work that I shoot now is a refreshing change from my previous years as a portrait photographer. The image that I presented is of the Chase Park Plaza in St Louis, Missouri. I processed the image using simulated digital infrared in photoshop.

By jwp. What do you think that played a significant role to your decision to choose photography as a mean of creation and expose your work?

Jef. I cannot pin that down quite so easily. My first film camera was Christmas gift when I was quite young. I barely remember a time when I did not shoot pictures.

By jwp. Which things you enjoy to photograph most and why?

Jef. I enjoy the processing. I like to play with colors and effects to make the image jump out at me. How I go about that greatly depends on my mood. If I am in a good mood I often end up with bright colorful pictures, a bad mood will get gloom and darkness.

By jwp. How would you characterize your activity in online communities like FAA or social media networks? Does it play an important role in your sales?

Jef. Using this format to sell images is quite new to me, so we shall see how it goes as I build up a collection.

By jwp. Can art change someone's life in a better way? Would you like to give an example?

Jef. Absolutely, it is the reason why art therapy exists. I find it to be quite therapeutic myself. I suffer from depression and anxiety. Art provides me with a focus point that I can achieve with no other activity.


Thank you very much Jef for this interesting interview. You can find and follow Jef Franklin and his beautiful work in fineartamerica.com:
http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/jef+franklin/all http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/jef+franklin/all

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The interview was already published in:
• Blogger: blogger post
• Tumblr: tumblr post
• Pinterest: Artist of the week - Pinterest Board

Also available to share it via:
• Facebook Post by Find a way by jwp
• Twitter July 29, 2014
• Google+ post by joanna papanikolaou

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