Personal Photography Project – Artist Series #1: Renzo Fernandez

It’s winter now in Toronto so time for a personal photography project or two.  Last year I did a 5-part Coffee Series that helped me a little bit with telling stories.  This time around i’m doing an Artist Series where I will be featuring painters, sculptors, musicians and others.  I’m hoping to give you a glimpse into the life of an artist.  While they work on their craft.  In their space.  I wanted to do this in a documentary fashion so as to allow the artist to work unimpeded by my presence and camera.  The artist is obviously aware of my presence, especially in the beginning.  I stay back and try to let them relax and forget about me.  The first artist to be featured is Renzo.  He’s a busy creative who works full-time at an art gallery, creates art for himself and he’s a part-owner of Surfing Turtle Lodge in Nicaragua.  During this session while I nursed my coffee I saw Renzo getting lost in his painting.  It started off as a sketch and then he began mixing his different paints.  At that point he started to slowly get into his zone and really began focusing on his art.

I’m going to document these sessions with my Contax G2, a 35mm film camera.  Not only do I love the entire process of shooting film and the final product but it also creates its own challenge.  I will only shoot one 36-exposure roll per session.  I have to be a bit more thoughtful and analytical in my shot selection but also prepared to shoot at a moment’s notice.  Here I shot Kodak Portra 800 rated at 800 and scanned/developed by The Find Lab.

I’m also looking for more artists so if you are one yourself or know someone, drop me a line.