The end of the year and the end of my first MFA semester

With everything going on from the still very present COVID-19 pandemic to the most ridiculous Formula 1 season in years (yes, I am an avid Formula 1 fan), it’s safe to say that this year has brought out a lot of change in big ways and little ways, for better and for worse.

But through that all, I’ve been working on my pursuit of a Master’s degree in photography. I knew that going in to this wouldn’t be easy, but it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about. By studying alongside artists of media I’ve seldom used, I’ve gotten invaluable insight into progressing my work. I feel that this is something often over-looked by those (especially photographers) looking to get a Master’s degree — the value of a small and diverse program, without the “silos” of media that reduce the interaction of the students of other media.

Studying in Southeast Massachusetts has been an interesting shift of pace from that of the Midwest. Being close to Boston and Providence and relatively close to New York City has brought up many opportunities that I sadly have not been able to take advantage of yet. The first semester of any Master’s student is full of settling-in, getting to know our peers, working assistantships and, of course, figuring our what the hell we’re going to do for our thesis work. This unfortunately affects out abilities to really dive into the art scene that is flourishing around us in the metropolitan areas not too far away.

Regardless, my work has developed greatly, changing nearly every week in one way or another. I see this fluctuation in my work as integral to my progress. My approach to this current body of work is a bit different from that of my Route 66 work, Dune or Moth, which all three of still have different approaches. I feel that it’s important as an artist to use tools your familiar with to then push yourself in ways that you haven’t done before, to develop ideas that challenge you just as much as they will the viewer. What’s the point in doing the same thing over and over again?

Of course, you will all be updated through here or social media about this ongoing work. As this first semester has drawn to a close, I’m starting to have a grip on the direction I want to take this work, as well as what imagery I can make to further that direction. More to come.

Who I’ve been looking at

There’s been a few artists that have really guided me in this first semester, some for months others are new additions to the roster.