2021 Austin Studio Tour
Some Artist Portraits
Some Artist Portraits features portraits of artists David Carrales has been blessed to photograph through the years. An anecdote accompanies each portrait.
The Girl with the Rotisserie Chicken Earring
Featuring Justine Nolt, 2021
The third time was the charm in recreating Jan Vermeer’s masterpiece inspired by Justine’s shrinky dink jewelry. The first time we attempted to make this image, neither of us looked at the original and were going by what we thought was the iconic artwork. Epic fail. Expression and pose were off. Second time, we mastered expression and pose. We decided we were ready to recreate the image with Justine crocheting her headband and finding the mustard colored jacket at a thrift store. This image was taken in the first three shots of the shoot. Perfection.
The Eyes Have It
Featuring Sujal Manohar, 2020
In the midst of the pandemic, I was tasked with taking headshots of my fellow AmeriCorps Artists-in-Residence. My first test subject was Sujal Manohar, an illustrator and medical student to be. I approached her with an idea. Besides taking the boring corporate headshot, would she minded bringing in some items that she thought defined her as an artist so we could create something more personal. She brought her sketchbook and as she was thumbing through it front of me, I saw that eye so I said, “Stop. I got it.” I had her strike this pose and we had our shot. A few months later, I replicated this pose with another artist, Izy Logan (also displayed in this exhibition).
Jonathan(s) & the Kiln God
Featuring Jonathan Baker, 2021
Is it the artist or the artwork that piques my photographic interest? Good question. In Jonathan’s case, both. Jonathan is a talented painter and ceramic artist who is one of my fellow AmeriCorps Artists. We produced a ceramics show and his entry was this adorable replica of a kiln. It was called the “kiln god” because it was meant to serve as a lucky charm to ensure that all artwork that went into the kiln came out as intended, no cracks or breaks. During the shoot, we had an opportunity to experiment with in camera multiple exposures (no photoshop!) and this image was the result. Perfection.
The Eyes Have It…again
Featuring Izy Logan, 2021
I met Izy Logan (illustrator) in the spring of 2021 when she was volunteering at Imagine Art. She was assisting one of the Imagine Art artists when I approached her and asked if I could take her photograph as part of documenting what goes on at the Imagine Art studio on a daily basis. She agreed and I set about photographing her as she created art. Sometimes portraiture can come from these candid moments. Other times you are inspired and ask the subject to pose, as was the case in this image where I asked Izy to partially cover her face with her sketchbook. This image was taken after the one I made with Sujal Manohar (included in this exhibition) so I must have had that previous image of Sujal in mind when I took the image of Izy. Subconscious mind is a powerful thing.
Hope
Featuring Bennett Neil, 2018
I met Bennet Neil (tattoo artist) in 2017 when he participated in the Tattooed Gloves Charity Boxing event that was held in conjunction with the statewide tattoo conference here in Austin. Bennett is from Australia so when he came back to defend his belt in 2018 I contacted him for an impromptu photo session a few days before the boxing. He agreed and we met at Austin Tattoo Company for some photography. We shot at night, outdoors, and that was the first time my eyes felt their age, unable to focus in the low light. Sigh. I still enjoyed hanging out with Bennett, I mean, who doesn’t adore the Australia accent? When I saw the images I was heartened that he was as compelling a subject outside the ring as inside it.
Bird Skull
Featuring Blookat, 2018
Blookat is a talented painter and ceramic artist. I met her when I was doing volunteer photography at Imagine Art. She had posted this glow in the dark bird skull on Instagram around Halloween 2018 and I wanted it the moment I saw it. I purchased it from her with the caveat that we would do a photo shoot around it. She agreed and I suddenly had to come up with something around her artwork.
I knew I wanted to get a shot of her holding the bird skull. Boring. I thought it might be cool to get her hands dirty, but actual dirt really wasn’t doing the trick so we used charcoal. We were shooting outside so I gathered a bit of leaves to create a nest. This is a good example to being open to what’s around you to improve the image.
David Johndrow, 2016
As an artist, people come your life that change the trajectory of your art. David Johndrow is such a person. David was my printer when I shot black and white film upon my return to Austin from Chicago (1994-2005). He made my photographic work look brilliant. But more importantly, he always took time to come out from the darkroom when I arrived to pick up my prints to chat. He was the first artist who told me that my artwork was something more than just a photograph. He complimented my eye, my composition, not such much my technical game because I was so unskilled with the camera’s operation, but with his kind words I persevered and have become an even better photographer once I entered the digital world. As a thank you, I asked if I could take his portrait and I ended up working on his website. It was a joy to repay his kindness.
Tim Kerr, 2016
Rewind thirty some years and I am at the Texas Union listening to Bad Mutha Goose and the Brothers Grimm featuring punk rock icon Tim Kerr on guitar. Tim also worked at the Undergraduate Library in the AV unit. His long blonde dreadlocks and tattoos made him easily recognizable as he made his way across campus, always with a big smile on his face. Fast forward thirty some years and I am presented with the opportunity to shoot an official portrait of Tim Kerr for The Arc of the Capital Area’s main fundraising gala. I jumped at the chance, not only to photograph, but to meet this Austin icon of the arts. His mural work is on display in our town and all over the country. I spent a couple of hours at Tim’s home studio as he regaled myself and two colleagues with stories about this life in the arts. I treasure that as much as the images I took that day.
SacRED Offerings
Featuring Bandita, 2018
Bandita is a mysterious performance artist who blends dance and spirituality in her work. She is also a talented poet and musician. I met Lacey (her name by day) at Imagine Art where she was curating exhibitions. She helped me immensely with my first East Studio Tour Exhibition in 2016. In return, she offered me opportunities to photograph her performances. This image is from her show, SacRED Offerings, and was taken in the sculpture garden at Laguna Gloria Art Museum in Austin. When I shoot performances, I am typically locked into the subject and tune out music, the crowd, etc. so I don’t recall the music, but I remember for a March day, it was so freakin’ hot. Lacey was wearing her trademark black and red garb, unfazed by the heat she was in the zone. I thought this image captured her graceful intensity.
Shoegazer
Featuring Haley Conlin, 2018
It was Valentine’s Day and a friend of mine asked if I wanted to go out and do some street photography on Sixth Street. Too cold, I responded, but his invitation had me thinking about doing some photography. I hadn’t shot any live performances in a while so I checked out what was on tap for local music that night. I found a “Galentine’s Day” show at Hotel Vegas, featuring all girl bands, all night long. I checked out the bands and I liked the sound of “The Sophies.” I sent them a message via Facebook and asked if it would be ok to shoot their show that night. They said it was cool. They proved to be compelling subjects. Out of all the images, this one of shoegazing guitarist, Haley Conlin, was a favorite.
Sister Act
Featuring Polly and Jilly, 2020
In the days leading up to the COVID shutdown in March 2020, I participated in a dance photography workshop. The last session of the day featured two ballet dancers, Jilly and her younger sister Polly. Sometimes, as a photographer you have an opportunity to study your subject for a few moments before you get the change to photograph them. During this time, you make quick observations on wardrobe, expression, body language and you determine how you can possibly leverage those details in a photograph. As I watched the two sisters interact, I immediately thought of my nieces Claire and Erin, as Jilly fussed over Polly’s appearance. Jilly shouted positive encouragement (well received) and offered well intended critiques (not so well received). Polly asserted herself when the two were photographed together, seeming to want to emerge from her sister’s shadow and shine in the spotlight. In one static pose, the two playfully bickered about Polly’s hand position (Jilly insisted that Polly was blocking Jilly’s face on purpose). Despite the tension and drama, there is the unconditional love between sisters and that is what I decided I wanted and hoped to capture.
