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B&W Photo Final:

B&W Photo Midterm:

B&W Photo Blog Post #8

For my black and white photo class, I wanted to focus my blog posts on the instructors who have molded me into the artist I am today and the instructors I have yet to meet as I prepare to move to Texas and attend the University of North Texas. As an incoming graduate, I am anxiously waiting to learn more about my future professors that shape the creative community at UNT.

The eighth artist I’m writing about is Shara Mercado Poole. Shara quickly became one of my friends after pushing me to become a printmaker. Shara is an adjunct professor who taught the first printmaking class I ever took. She noticed my habits in the way I work and my style of photography, and pushed me to pursue printmaking and mix my photography within it. Her teaching style pushes students to experiment through multiple mediums and techniques.

Shara is one of the most motivated and hardworking artists ive ever met, teaching at multiple schools, working insane amounts of hours, while always being there for each and every student. She is always involved in any art programs that push students to be the best they can be, including the Summer Arts program which is notorious for helping young artists find success. Shara’s work is a perfect example of her drive and how she strives to be the best version of herself, always working on new projects after class hours to push herself while also being 100% present for her students inside and outside of the class. She is the perfect example of the teacher you grow up never forgetting because of how present they are in your life.

Shara’s expertise with using washed out colors mixed with vibrant colors makes her work feel refreshing and exciting. Being able to take pastel colors and incorporate them with vibrant colors helps her create stunning pieces of art. Her work has been showcased in multiple exhibitions, giving her recognition for her depth and innovation in the printmaking world. Just like in her artwork, she applies the same passion to creating new printmakers out of her students just taking a simple GE class, I wouldn't be the artist I am today if it wasn't for her.

Artist Statement My work critically examines the ways in which unrealistic societal expectations and pressures are set and maintained based

B&W Photo Blog Post #7

For my black and white photo class, I wanted to focus my blog posts on the instructors who have molded me into the artist I am today and the instructors I have yet to meet as I prepare to move to Texas and attend the University of North Texas. As an incoming graduate, I am anxiously waiting to learn more about my future professors that shape the creative community at UNT.

The seventh artist I’m writing about is Matt Hopson-Walker. Matt’s determination to be able to connect with everyone and make them feel included and appreciated would rival his skill as a masterful printmaker. His approach and style when it comes to printmaking helped me push my visions and had me grow as an artist tremendously.

Matt and I both spent a large portion of our young adult lives in the Midwest, because of this, our interests in art aligned, making him an amazing professor to learn from. Some of his works that spoke the most to me have been his Empire Valley Series and his Animal Series. The grunge aesthetic of both series is a big part of the culture in St. Louis, but it is not a very common art style or culture on the West Coast. His use of color and juxtaposition brings a very unique and mesmerizing look to his work. It has been an honor working under such a talented artist.

B&W Photo Blog Post #6

For my black and white photo class, I wanted to focus my blog posts on the instructors who have molded me into the artist I am today and the instructors I have yet to meet as I prepare to move to Texas and attend the University of North Texas. As an incoming graduate, I am anxiously waiting to learn more about my future professors that shape the creative community at UNT.

The sixth artist I'm writing about is Neil Chowdhury. Neil has been my mentor/professor for the past two years, he specializes in alternative printing processes like gum bichromate and cyanotypes. Over the past few years, I have gotten to experience multiple styles of Neil's work, ranging from landscapes to portraiture to street photography. Although I didnt get to see him in action during his photo series in India, I would have loved to see the methods of how he worked, the work he produced in India is breathtaking as well as the creative routes that he took while printing the photos with alternative methods.

Neil pushes students to master technical skills so that they can apply those skills with their own creative expression, which usually wouldn't be possible without a mastery of the skill. One thing that Neil helped me hone in on was my storytelling. Throughout the class I went from just taking pictures of pretty people to finding my niche and passion, being able to provide a story and reason as to why I took these pictures. His mentorship has been instrumental in my development as an artist.

The Society for Photographic Education (SPE) is a national non-profit organization that seeks to promote a wider understanding of photograph

B&W Photo Blog Post #5

For my black and white photo class, I wanted to focus my blog posts on the instructors who have molded me into the artist I am today and the instructors I have yet to meet as I prepare to move to Texas and attend the University of North Texas. As an incoming graduate, I am anxiously waiting to learn more about my future professors that shape the creative community at UNT.

The fifth artist I’m writing about is Ana M. Lopez. Ana is an associate professor at UNT. She teaches metalsmithing and jewelry making, a rigorous style of work but nonetheless very intriguing. I chose to write about Ana even though she doesn't teach in my field of study I have always wanted to learn how to metal smith and look forward to taking a class with her and hopefully picking up some new skills.

Her work focuses on buildings and structures in everyday life and she turns them into art. She recreates miniturized versions of buildings, fences, hydrants, trashcans, etc, to create jewelry out of them. Her work is extremely detail-oriented and clean, two strong and necessary talents for being a successful metalsmith.

A focal point for her jewelry recently has been working on bolo ties, which tie into the work that I do with my western style photography and I hope to be able to create some for accessories in my photos.

B&W Photo Blog Post #4

Blog Post #4 Paho Mann

For my black and white photo class, I wanted to focus my blog posts on the instructors who have molded me into the artist I am today and the instructors I have yet to meet as I prepare to move to Texas and attend the University of North Texas. As an incoming graduate, I am anxiously waiting to learn more about my future professors that shape the creative community at UNT.

The fourth artist I’m writing about is Paho Mann. Paho is a photography professor at the University of North Texas whose work explores the gritty and uncensored life of humans and technology. Some of my favorite series that he has done are Junk Drawers and Re-Inhabited Circle Ks.

In his photo series Junk Drawers Paho focuses on the disorganization of drawers in people's lives that at first seem mundane but are brought to life with his focus on vibrant colors and quirky, unique objects. In his series Re-Inhabited Circle Ks, Paho focuses on the staple gas stations that cover the Midwest but have been converted into new businesses. This series stuck out to me due to the nostalgia it brought about, the countless hours I spent sitting in their parking lot drinking slushies as a kid.

Paho Mann is a contemporary artist living in Dallas, TX. He uses photography, video, and 3D technology in his work.

B&W Photo Blog Post #3

For my black and white photo class, I wanted to focus my blog posts on the instructors who have molded me into the artist I am today and the instructors I have yet to meet as I prepare to move to Texas and attend the University of North Texas. As an incoming graduate, I am anxiously waiting to learn more about my future professors that shape the creative community at UNT.

The third artist I’m writing about is Andrew DeCaen. Andrew is another professor and printmaker at UNT whose focus centers around lithography and human anatomy. Something that stuck out to me about Andrews work is his ability to balance negative space with the form of his subjects. His use of movement and shadows is exquisite. One of my favorite pieces that Andrew has done is his piece titled Eating Practice. It showcases a couple cooking, and cleaning in a cramped space. It is a mix between lighography and screenprinting, the print makes you feel like you can look around the corners of the counters. One thing that I noticed was it feels like a futurism piece of art and reminded me of Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash.

B&W Photo Blog Post #2

For my black and white photo class, I wanted to focus my blog posts on the instructors who have molded me into the artist I am today and the instructors I have yet to meet as I prepare to move to Texas and attend the University of North Texas. As an incoming graduate, I am anxiously waiting to learn more about my future professors that shape the creative community at UNT.

The second artist I’m writing about is Lari Gibbons. Lari is a professor and printmaker at UNT, she leads the printmaking program while focusing on material experimentation. While her work is simple and refreshing it takes a printmaker to understand the amount of skill that is needed to create what she does.

Her work is truly breathtaking once you understand what she is doing. Lari’s work reminds me of a painting with how fluid her colors flow together As a printmaker myself, when I try to include gradients into my work but I have never seen anything like this and cant wait to learn from her.

B&W Photo Blog Post #1

For my black and white photo class, I wanted to focus my blog posts on the instructors who have molded me into the artist I am today and the instructors I have yet to meet as I prepare to move to Texas and attend the University of North Texas. As an incoming graduate, I am anxiously waiting to learn more about my future professors that shape the creative community at UNT.

The first artist I'm writing about is Dornith Doherty. Dornith's work focuses on photography that brings on a meditative state. Her work feels as if its a mix of science and art captured in one picture. As a research professor at the University of North Texas, her work explores the relationship between humanity and botany.

One of her most recognizable projects is her Archiving Eden series. Dornith uses X-ray imaging and traditional style photography to create mesmerizing pieces of art, going beyond your normal archival documentary photography. Her techniques seem fascinating to me, and I cant wait to learn more about them.

Digital Imagery: Final

For my final I wanted to focus on angles and cropping techniques while working with a horse. I’ve mostly done candid shoots with horses and very minimal staged shoots, so for this final my main goal was to try and capture successfully staged photos without them appearing too intentionally staged. I feel as if the shoot was rather successful but I also see a lot of room for growth

#photography #b&w #fashion #film photography #aesthetic #cowgirl #western #cowboy

Digital Imagery: 5 a week

#photography #fashion #aesthetic #cowgirl #western #90’s icons #cowboy #film photography

Photographer Research Post #5: Kurt Markus was a photographer known for his honest and straightforward approach to capturing the American West. Born and raised in Montana, Markus was deeply connected to the landscapes and traditions he documented. His black-and-white photographs focused on cowboys, ranchers, and the wide-open spaces of the West, often emphasizing the hard work and dedication required by this way of life.

Markus’s photography avoided glamorizing the West, instead presenting it as it is—challenging, rugged, and deeply rooted in tradition. His images are known for their simplicity, focusing on everyday moments like a cowboy adjusting his gear or a herd moving across an open plain. These straightforward depictions give his work a grounded quality, free from unnecessary embellishments.

One of the aspects I appreciate most about Markus’s work is his attention to detail. Whether it’s the texture of worn leather or the way light falls across a weathered landscape, his photographs capture the physicality of ranch life. This attention to the small but significant elements inspires me to slow down and focus on similar details in my own photography.

Markus also had a strong sense of composition, using light and shadow to bring out contrasts and textures in his black-and-white images. His thoughtful framing and use of negative space make each photograph feel carefully considered. These techniques remind me to think critically about how I construct my own images, using composition to highlight the subject without unnecessary distractions.

Photographer Research Post #4: Barbara Van Cleve is a photographer known for her work documenting ranch life in the American West. Growing up on a cattle ranch in Montana, she experienced the lifestyle firsthand, which gave her a deep understanding of her subjects. Her black-and-white photography often focuses on the daily routines of ranchers, the wide-open landscapes they work in, and the unique roles women play in this environment.

Van Cleve’s work stands out for its straightforward and honest approach. Rather than glamorizing ranch life, her photos show both the challenges and the rewards of the lifestyle. Her images often highlight hard work, community, and the strong connection ranchers have with the land. She focuses on real stories, which makes her work feel grounded and relatable.

What I admire most about Van Cleve’s photography is how she gives a voice to the people she photographs, especially women. Her images remind viewers that women have always been an important part of the ranching tradition, even though they’re often overlooked. This focus on storytelling and representation influences my own photography, where I aim to capture the underrepresented stories of Black cowboys and cowgirls.

Van Cleve’s photography also inspires me to look closely at the relationship between people and the environment in my work. Her ability to portray this connection through her images is something I strive to achieve as I document the traditions and culture of the western lifestyle.

Photographer Research Post #3: Gordon Parks was a groundbreaking photographer whose work captured the struggles and beauty of the American experience, particularly through the lens of race and social justice. Born in 1912, Parks was the first African American photographer for Life magazine, and his career spanned photojournalism, fashion photography, and filmmaking. His images remain powerful today for their ability to tell deeply human stories.

One of Parks’s most iconic projects is his documentation of the Civil Rights Movement. Through striking black-and-white photos, Parks chronicled the lives of everyday Black Americans during a time of intense racial segregation and inequality. His photograph American Gothic, Washington, D.C. (1942) is particularly famous, showing a Black cleaning woman standing in front of an American flag with a broom and mop. The image is both a critique of the American Dream and a tribute to resilience.

What I find most inspiring about Parks’s work is how he used his art to create empathy and spark change. His ability to blend artistry with activism is a guiding principle for my own photography. Parks’s portraits are especially moving—each one seems to capture the essence of a person’s story. One of my favorite images features a young boy sitting on a stoop, his expression filled with both innocence and strength. Parks’s knack for capturing those complex emotions reminds me to look for the humanity in every subject I photograph.

Parks wasn’t just a photographer; he was also a filmmaker, musician, and writer. His film The Learning Tree (1969) was one of the first major Hollywood films directed by an African American. This versatility inspires me to explore different ways of storytelling in my own art, whether through combining photography with printmaking or experimenting with new mediums.

Photographer Research Post #2: Ismaila Rufai is a talented photographer whose work explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging. He is known for capturing striking portraits and vivid scenes that reflect the rich diversity of African life and traditions. Rufai’s images are both vibrant and thought-provoking, offering viewers a window into the lives of his subjects.

What draws me to Rufai’s photography is how he celebrates his subjects while challenging stereotypes. His images convey strength and dignity, breaking away from clichés often associated with African communities. This inspires me as I work on my own photography projects that aim to highlight underrepresented stories, such as those of Black cowboys and cowgirls in America.

Rufai’s storytelling through photography is something I deeply admire. He doesn’t just document moments—he tells stories that bridge cultures and foster understanding. This is a quality I hope to bring to my own work as I continue to explore documentary photography.

Photographer Research Post #1: Rob Hammer is a photographer known for capturing the rugged charm of the American West. His photos focus on people, places, and traditions, especially cowboy culture and old-school barbershops. Hammer’s work feels both timeless and authentic, showing a side of America that often gets overlooked.

One of his most famous projects, Barbershops of America, showcases vintage barbershops from across the country. The series includes portraits of shop owners and detailed shots of old tools and decor. Shot in black-and-white, the photos highlight worn leather chairs, faded signs, and the unique character of each shop. Hammer’s book on this project has received critical acclaim and been featured in exhibitions.

What I admire most about Hammer’s work is its honesty. His photos aren’t overly polished; they simply show life as it is. This inspires me as I explore my own documentary photography focused on western themes. Hammer’s cowboy portraits stand out, showing hardworking people who carry on old traditions. One image I love features a cowboy in front of a barn, his expression telling a story of resilience and pride.

Hammer’s dedication to his subjects is another thing I look up to. He takes the time to build trust and truly understand the communities he photographs. This approach is something I’d like to apply in my own work, especially as I document Black cowboys and cowgirls, a group whose stories are often left out of mainstream media.

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