Dread Surreal, aquatic, enmeshed with their elements, these haunting images exude both sadness and surrender, to the light, to the water, to the snow, and to the lens. Morey Spellman talks to AHC about his process, his inspiration and what first led him to art and photography. AHC: What first drew you to art? Was there a specific moment in your life or turning point where it became clear to you that you were being called to create? Morey: As an only child I was always motivated to keep busy. I played clarinet for eight years and I ran cross country in high school, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Although not strictly visual mediums, I consider any activity where you grow a form of creation. You create something from nothing, an idea that turns into reality. It wasn't until photography that I found an outlet where I might have more control. Of course looking back, I can only say that practice makes perfect. My grandfather (who is also a photographer) tried on numerous occasions to explain to me more about the craft. However, I didn't become fully invested until the end of high school. Fetus AHC: Could you talk some about your overall process, themes & inspirations? Morey: My fine art images are rooted in a respect for nature and our place within the environment. My fashion photographs are influenced by my own cultural and artistic tastes. A beautiful location or personal hardship motivates me to make art. A specific song, a certain story, a beautiful model, or a glamorous dress can all act as a catalyst for fashion. Fallen Angel AHC: Who are some of your artistic influences? Is there anyone outside of the art world whose work has impacted your own, or who just generally inspire you, writers, filmmakers, musicians etc.? Morey: Although I love a good film or book, I think music is the most important thing that helps me visualize an idea or explain a certain mood through photography. I'll usually listen to one full album each week. Gillian Welch’s The Harrow & the Harvest, and Purity Ring’s Another Eternity, are my current albums on rotation. Solace AHC: When did you get your first camera and what were some of the first shots that you took? Morey: My junior year of high school my parents bought me a DSLR that I consider my first camera. From that era, Dune and Fetus are two images that I'm still proud of today and are included in my portfolio. Midnight Lullaby AHC: What was the most difficult piece for you to create, shoot, technically and conceptually? Have you ever had to abandon a piece because the elements just weren't coming together in the right way? Morey: Dread was a difficult self-portrait as it was shot in darkness without the aid of a remote timer. As I look back at older work, I've had several pieces I had to abandon or reshoot. If I don't learn from those mistakes, I would call them failures. Instead, I'd like to think of those mishaps as a process of trial and error that each tie into their own lesson. Cauterize AHC: What is the first work of art you encountered that took your breath away? Morey: When I was twelve, my father bought me the album 10,000 Days by the band Tool. The impact of the record and ideas associated with the band are still influential today. Tired of Waiting AHC: Are there times when you become blocked creatively? What do you do to rekindle inspiration? Morey: In a way, I think that creativity can always be found because each shoot is different. A new face, location, circumstance, they all offer new perspectives and no shoot is ever the same as the one before. If I do get burned out, I take a break. I channel that spark into other mediums or put the camera away in order to develop a new approach. Hesitation AHC: Do you have any words of advice for young photographers-artists who are rooting around in themselves trying to find their own internal artistic vision? Morey: From my own personal experience, I think it’s important to think about who you are in the moment and how your identity can translate into art or photography. I associate a lot of my fine art work with a younger version of myself. A boy lost in nature without a sense of time or place. As I've gotten older, I've wanted to transition away from self-portraits and into other people's stories. That being said, everyone is different, do what works for you. Dune
AHC: Do you have any upcoming exhibits or new projects you'd like to tell people about? Morey: As for the immediate future, I'll be traveling throughout California for the next few weeks to refresh my mind and create new art. All images © Morey Spellman (Provided courtesy of the artist) For more visit www.moreyspellman.com/
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