Interview with Ed McGowan

Our first interview in a few weeks. We have the very talented ED MCGOWAN.

Hi Ed! What’s on your agenda for today?

Lots of work. Scheduled for 11 hours of it, so it makes sense that I stopped for this interview, haha.

Sounds good! Haha. So what do you do at work?

I’m the Director of Design at Plain Joe Studios, so I oversee the design that goes out. But I’m also one of the main designers and because of the workload, I do a lot of designing myself.

I understand that you first picked up a camera from your job around 2008, and that one little gesture seemed to have launched a whole new outlook for you of photography. How has your life changed since first picking up that camera?

I don’t think it changed much at first. It was mainly a serious hobby. I always tend to get into something and go all out. I think the biggest impact was last year with my 365 project. That project really changes how you think. You are always looking for a shot, or if you don’t have a camera you start to think “that would make a great shot”.

365 projects require a ton of commitment. Do you think this project allowed you to hone in on a style you could call your own?

If you ask me, I do not see my own style. People tell me that they see one, but I think, “how is that possible”? For the 365, I did such a variety of things from retro, natural light, strobe lighting, diptychs, out of focus, etc. I think that’s one of the things I struggle with now, post 365. What is my style or what style should I go with?

It’s very had to create a style because your influenced by so many things, it’s hard to really be completely “original” these days. Who or what are some of your major influences?

Jeremy Cowart is one of the bigger ones. Several years ago he was a designer like me. He is very versatile I think and probably my favorite. Annie Leibovitz stuff is amazing. Countless fashion photographers. Zack Arias too, his approach to photography is very similar to how I try to do things.

All great people! So, where are you from?

I live in Southern California, Corona to be exact. I grew up as an army brat, so before we settled down here I lived all over. Mostly in Germany. Corona is what I consider my hometown.

What is your favorite part about being in Corona?

I’m not sure I have one. I think it’s where I settled down. But if a job or money wasn’t an issue then I’d be in New York or London. As far as Southern California, I think Corona is nicely located. 45 minutes from LA, 35 Minutes from the beach, 45 minutes from the mountains, and about 1 ½ hours from San Diego.

Sounds like a neat little place to live! If you weren’t a designer or photographer, what would you be doing?

What would I like to be doing or what would I be doing? I’d probably be living in a cardboard box somewhere.

Haha, well we don’t want that! What could you see yourself doing other than being a designer? There we go.

I wouldn’t mind working in the film industry. Not sure what I’d be qualified to do, maybe I can be that guy who is in the credits as Key Grip #1.

YES! Let’s make a movie. Any movies you have seen lately that you liked?

I love movies, and TV. I’m sure I watch more than the average person. This wasn’t lately but I thought Sherlock Holmes was fantastic. The last movie I saw was Daybreakers. Great concept, the movie was decent.

I saw Daybreakers and you know, I didn’t like it too much.

It was entertaining. I didn’t say it was great, just decent. I do like the concept of it though.

Where do you want to be in 10 years? Location-wise, and life-wise.

200 million dollars richer from winning the lottery and living in a castle in Europe. They are actually not that much. I know because every time I buy a lottery ticket I go and price them.

Haha, I would like to do that as well! I have to ask, top 3 favorite foods.

That’s hard because eating is my hobby. People say they like food, but they really don’t. I think most people eat because they get hungry. This is probably not accurate because there is too much to choose from but let’s go with: crab, wienersnitzel’s chili cheese fries, and sourdough bread.

Interesting mix! Well, Ed, any famous last words?

Photography is a hobby, eating is a lifestyle.

Thank you so much for your time!

Thanks for having me!

All work Copyright (c) Ed McGowan. 2010.

You can check out more from Ed on his Flickr page.

Thanks for checking out The Kind Artist. Join the mailing list or send us an e-mail if you’re interested in an interview. Tell your friends, your family, and everyone else you know, and join the Facebook page!

The Kind Artist wants to hear from you. If you or anyone you know is interested in interviewing with us, send us a message over at thekindartist@gmail.com and we will be more than glad to get back to you.

Up and coming artists showcase their talent and share their stories.

The Kind Artist is about you.

Copyright 2010 by (c) The Kind Artist.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION:FILM OR DIGITAL?

What’s going on everyone?

First off, we want to say thank you for sticking around and keeping up with the site. It’s been long since we’ve posted an interview. We’ve been looking for some amazing artists, and other ways to get you involved with the site. We have always wanted to make a short film with your help, maybe one of you has written a song, and maybe another one of you has taken a photo, and we can add it all together to make a short film. Video clips from your past, songs you wrote, poems you wrote, anything could work.

We’ve been pondering, and pondering, and just waiting for things to come our way. There will be interviews to be posted regularly again, but until then, keep following us and keep telling us what you think. We have the FACEBOOK page and we have the e-mail THEKINDARTIST@GMAIL.COM so let us know what you’re thinking, we know you have some awesome ideas stirring up!

So, we’ve always wondered here, do you like shooting film or digital? Digital has come a long way since it’s start, and it’s become easier for people to shoot and get their work out there, whether it be FLICKR or any other photography site. But picking up a camera and shooting doesn’t just make you a “photographer”, or does it? Film is the roots, and we know here that it’s an amazing feeling getting a roll of film back and looking at the shots. What do you enjoy? Let’s hear what you have to say. Comment here!

STAY IN TOUCH! WE LOVE YOU!

Thanks for checking out The Kind Artist. Join the mailing list or send us an e-mail if you’re interested in an interview. Tell your friends, your family, and everyone else you know, and join the Facebook page!

The Kind Artist wants to hear from you. If you or anyone you know is interested in interviewing with us, send us a message over at thekindartist@gmail.com and we will be more than glad to get back to you.

Up and coming artists showcase their talent and share their stories.

The Kind Artist is about you.

Copyright 2010 by (c) The Kind Artist.

AN UPDATE WITH THE ARTISTS

This week, we’re taking it back. The Kind Artist has been up for a little over 4 months now and we can’t thank you enough for your support on the site. This will be our 24th post, so why not celebrate a little bit? We’re taking you through the artists we had featured on the site and showing you some work they have produced since their interview, and also showing some artists that have submitted photos to be shown on the site. What is more important is how supportive all of YOU are for the site, and we honestly can’t thank you enough. You’re the ones that keep this site going, and if you feel like you can help out in anyway at all, feel free to send us an e-mail. We’re always looking for ways to collaborate, ideas for how to improve the site, or just things you want to say. THANK YOU, this ones for YOU.

(CLICK THE ARTISTS NAME TO VIEW MORE OF THEIR WORK)

1. LAUREN WITHROW

2. WHITTEN SABBATINI

3. LUCIANO NOBLE II (LOU O’ BEDLAM)

4. ALEXANDER SHAHMIRI

5. JERA REUSSER

6. LAUREN RANDOLPH

7. LESLEY KERR

8. ALISON BUSHOR

9. SIMON FILIP

10. LAUREN MAREK

11. MATT HILL

12. MONICA SAATY

13. TAYLOR BARRINGER

14. TONY KATAI

15. EVAN CELINI (FEATURED)

Evan is a good friend of ours here at The Kind Artist. He is looking for any freelance shoots, commissions, etc in the Philadelphia area or surrounding. He would love to take your photo, for free! Feel free to contact him, check out his Flickr page for more info.

So, thank you so much fellow artists. We can’t say it enough, we love you here and we WANT to hear from you. Anything and everything you have to say, feel free to say it! We hope to speak with you soon.

ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT OF THE ARTIST and THE KIND ARTIST (c) 2010.

Thanks for checking out The Kind Artist. Join the mailing list or send us an e-mail if you’re interested in an interview. Tell your friends, your family, and everyone else you know, and join the Facebook page!

The Kind Artist wants to hear from you. If you or anyone you know is interested in interviewing with us, send us a message over at thekindartist@gmail.com and we will be more than glad to get back to you.

Up and coming artists showcase their talent and share their stories.

The Kind Artist is about you.

Copyright 2010 by (c) The Kind Artist.

A Brief Interview with Tony Katai

This week we have a very brief interview with a very great man, Tony Katai. Tony is young, and yet he brings so much to the photographic world, and he’s working on getting his own place with some good friends. Let’s just see what he has to say!

Hey Tony. What are you up to this fine day?

About to head to Detroit to put in a security deposit on a loft with two of my good buds.

So, you live in Detroit. What’s your favorite part about that city?

I love how much more different it is compared to Chicago or New York. I really enjoy it a lot and I’m excited to move back downtown.

Why did you first decide to pick up a camera?

A few of my buddies started doing it and one of them had a film camera for me.

A big question, film or digital?

Well, I enjoy shooting film so much more than digital, but digital is so much more managable when doing weddings/senior photos , etc.

What is your favorite thing to shoot?

I love shooting disturbing/scary scenes, they’re alotta fun!

Who would you really love to photograph, if you had the opportunity?

I would love to take photos of Lady Gaga. Haha, I wish I was kidding.

All money aside, set up the perfect photoshoot for me.

Damn, a ginormous background of stars and you dressed in a very realistic alien costume, and this will take place in a crop circle and we will have the lights kinda looking like head lights of a car shining on you, but not as shitty. I just thought of this, lets do it!

Sounds good man! Who are some really big photographic inspirations in your work?

A lot of Kevin Russ’s work has inspired me, as well as one of my best friends Matty.

Thanks so much for your time Tony!

Thanks man!

You can check out more from Tony at his Flickr page.

All work Copyright (c) Tony Katai. 2010.

Thanks for checking out The Kind Artist. Join the mailing list or send us an e-mail if you’re interested in an interview. Tell your friends, your family, and everyone else you know, and join the Facebook page! (There will be giveaways!)

The Kind Artist wants to hear from you. If you or anyone you know is interested in interviewing with us, send us a message over at thekindartist@gmail.com and we will be more than glad to get back to you.

Up and coming artists showcase their talent and share their stories.

The Kind Artist is about you.

Copyright 2010 by (c) The Kind Artist.

Interview with Taylor Barringer

Taylor is a graphic designer from a small town in Texas. He is young, and seems to know what he is doing very well. Let him tell you all about why he got started, and why he doesn’t like horses too much.

Hi Taylor, how are you today?

I’m doing pretty good. Enjoying my first day of summer. How are you today?

I’m doing very well. Where are you located?

A small town in the Texas Panhandle called Canyon.

Why is Canyon such an awesome place to live?

Well, there is a canyon here, so it’s a good place if you like big holes in the ground, and the people are nice.

So, when did you start getting into graphic design?

My junior year in high school I took a graphic design class which no one took seriously, but it was enough to get me hooked.

What is your favorite part about graphic design?

I like trying to mix hand-done elements with the computer. Mixing the old with the new. It gives the work a better life, I think, than if something was just made on a computer.

You have some really awesome pieces, what has been your favorite one so far and why?

For a class at school we had to illustrate an animal with 25 different medias, I had an eagle. I made 2 collages that kind of went together. They are pretty simple but it was one of those things where I didn’t have an exact idea. I just started cutting things out, and it just happened.

Who are some big inspirations in your design work?

Eduardo Recife is a big one, and right now I’m real into an illustrator from Scotland named Lizzy Stewart.

So, what does the future consist of for you?

I’ve got a few projects I want to work on during the summer, take some pictures, get better at drawing things. Then, in October, I will be headed to England to go to school for a year. Which I am SOOO excited about.

Oh yeah? That’s awesome. What part of England?

I’ll be going to the University of Reading in Reading, England. Which is 30 minutes outside of London.

Very cool. What are your thoughts on horses?

I rode one once when I was little, and I thought I was going to die.

I’m sorry! Wow, so what are your top 3 favorite drinks?

Raspberry and mango tea mixed together from Water Still, Dr. Pepper and Thai tea.

Well, Taylor, it was great talking to you. Thank you so much!

Thanks for having me!

You can check out more from Taylor at his Flickr page.

All work Copyright (c) Taylor Barringer. 2010.

Thanks for checking out The Kind Artist. Join the mailing list or send us an e-mail if you’re interested in an interview. Tell your friends, your family, and everyone else you know, and join the Facebook page! (There will be giveaways!)

The Kind Artist wants to hear from you. If you or anyone you know is interested in interviewing with us, send us a message over at thekindartist@gmail.com and we will be more than glad to get back to you.

Up and coming artists showcase their talent and share their stories.

The Kind Artist is about you.

Copyright 2010 by (c) The Kind Artist.

Interview with Monica Saaty

Monica is a lover of the landscape, a photography student, and a professional parasailing photographer (just kidding) but you should parasail your way on into this interview.

What’s going on Monica?

Not much Ryan. Sick with a cold, working on art homework.

What does art homework consist of?

It’s my final project for my basic drawing class. I decided to do a mixed media piece that represents my interpretation of a newspaper headline “Hospital Shooter Mentally Ill – Had Grudge.” I have red paint all over me.

Sounds very interesting. So tell us where you are from, and where you are currently at.

I grew up in Phoenix, but right now I’m living up in Flagstaff for school.

How’s the weather there lately?

Ah, the spring weather here is really strange. Last week it snowed and rained, but today is 65 degrees and sunny!

What’s the story behind you first picking up a camera, and when you started taking it seriously?

I’ve been playing with cameras since I was little. I used to steal my mom’s camera and take dozens of photographs of barbies and stuffed animals. I had a point-and-shoot until high school, which is when I really got into photography. I got my first SLR for Christmas of 2008 and haven’t put it down since.

It seems you’ve always leaned towards landscape photography, what really attracts you to this style?

I have always loved to travel, and Arizona is an extremely diverse state. Living here made it easy to shoot these incredible places that people from around the world come to see.

What has been your favorite place you shot so far?

My favorite place would probably be Antelope Canyon. It was, by far, one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. The curves and lines in the canyon’s walls are brought to life by the filtered light from above. It is challenging to photograph, but definitely worth it.

Something I really enjoy are the many series’ you have done, especially the “Static” series, could you give a little background on that?

Thanks Ryan. Well the static series was mostly the result of boredom last summer. We had a broken T.V. sitting in the garage and I thought it would make for an interesting prop. I started bringing it everywhere I went to photograph and ended up with a few shots that I liked. I recently found another old television so I will probably be adding more images to the series soon.

Can’t wait to see them! Are you taking any photo classes currently?

Yes, right now I am in my first photo class, Basic Digital Photography. I’ll be taking two photography classes every semester for the next three years – lucky me!

That should be fun for sure, do you have any photography stories or shoots that really stick out in your head?

I’ve had some really funny experiences with photography. It takes me to the most random places, for example, the middle of the desert. A few months ago, I was out on one of the reservations near my parent’s house waiting for the sun to set. I heard a noise coming toward me, and out of nowhere I see this guy parasailing in the middle of the desert. I already had my camera ready. It was pure luck – preparation and opportunity. They turned out to be some of my favorite photographs I’ve taken.

I can see the shot right now! How far away were you?

Probably 100 – 200 feet from him. He even did a few circles for me when he saw my camera.

Very cool, you won’t see that very often!

No, you definitely won’t. I keep hoping he will show up again every time I’m there.

What’s in the future for you?

Well, in the immediate future I have finals and job applications. Hopefully this summer I’ll be able to do some traveling. But in the distant future, just hoping to finish up school and find a job that I love involving photography.

If you could shoot anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

That’s a tough question. If I really could choose, I’d probably go to Italy. It has a rich history from over 3,000 years ago, and I would love to be able to photograph some of the most famous and beautiful locations in the world. Plus, their food is fantastic.

So I hear! What are your top 3 favorite candies?

Another tough question. They would have to be Buncha Crunch, Snickers, and Saltwater Taffy.

Thank you so much for your time Monica.

No, thank you Ryan!

You can check out more from Monica at her Flickr page.

All work Copyright (c) Monica Saaty. 2010.

Thanks for checking out The Kind Artist. Join the mailing list or send us an e-mail if you’re interested in an interview. Tell your friends, your family, and everyone else you know, and join the Facebook page! (There will be giveaways!)

The Kind Artist wants to hear from you. If you or anyone you know is interested in interviewing with us, send us a message over at thekindartist@gmail.com and we will be more than glad to get back to you.

Up and coming artists showcase their talent and share their stories.

The Kind Artist is about you.

Copyright 2010 by (c) The Kind Artist.

Interview with Zachary Lucky

Zachary Lucky is a singer/songwriter from Canada. He loves veggies, and he’s been playing guitar for a long time and won’t be stopping anytime soon.

www.jayobyrne.com

What are you up to today Zachary?

Not too much really. Whenever I am at home, not on tour, I work off and on, but I have the day off today! I’ll probably enjoy the incredible whether, and make my way down to the river for a while.

Where do you work sir?

An unmentionable coffee shop, haha.

Oh, very nice! So, how old are you and where do you call home?

I’m currently 21 years of age, and currently call home Saskatoon, although I am not around these parts much as of late.

You recently came home from a tour, how was that?

It was great. It was a few different tours that all kind of lumped into around two months of being away from home. The first tour was with two good friends of mine, Andy Shauf and Sean Craib – Petkau (The Bravest Ghost). We played around thirty shows in and around eastern Canada. We all had a great time though, great shows, great cities, great people.

That’s so awesome! What’s a really memorable story from that tour?

Haha, I’m the worst at telling tour stories. To be honest, we’re all pretty relaxed people, and didn’t have to many crazy things happen. We were pretty excited when Canada beat the U.S. in Hockey though. Haha, we actually canceled a show the day of that game, just so we could make dinner with friends, and watch the game.

www.jayobyrne.com

Haha, no! That does sound like a great day though, for you guys anyway! When did you first start playing guitar?

I started playing guitar when I was around 10 years old, and to be honest, I really hated it for…probably the first two or three years. It was more or less something I had to do, a chore.

I hear you on that one, so what made you realize “hey, I really want to try and make a career out of this”?

I can’t remember the exact turning point, but I was young, and probably at some loud rock concert. Haha, it actually took me a long time to realize that music is something that I could call a career. I think careers in the arts can often seem unrealistic, especially when you don’t come from an arts background.

For sure, something you have to work really hard for, and you seem to be doing a great job! What’s in the near future as far as shows/tours go?

We’re actually starting to record the new album this week, so that’s going to be taking up most of my time over the next couple weeks. Then as soon as that is finished I’m back on the road heading west, actually to just attend Sasquatch festival, but we’re playing a set of shows out that way. A few in Washington and Oregon, and then a two week long tour back home.

Sounds like an amazing time! If you could set up the perfect show, and pick 4 bands to play along with you, who would be playing?

I think one of the best parts of playing shows and touring is being around friends. So I would probably get some of my friends to play. Fisticuffs, Andy Shauf, Aidan Knight, and The Deep Dark Woods (I’m not close friends with these guys, but when you’re musicians and from the same town, you sort of vaguely know everyone). They’re probably one of my favorite bands from town.

www.jayobyrne.com

What are your top 3 favorite foods?

Haha.

Real unoriginal, but I had to ask it.

I love these kinds of questions. Right now I am on a vegetable kick, due to the lack there of on tour. I am a big fan of the Zucchini. It can be used many ways. Its a very versatile vegetable. Ok, no really, in all seriousness.

Haha!

I love soup. I could probably eat soup and bread for the rest of my life. 1) Soup. 2) Steamed veggies. 3) Anything that can be cooked on a BBQ, haha.

That’s a great list, and Zachary, I can’t thank you enough for your time. We will end on that note!

No worries man, hopefully I can make it out to your neck of the woods for a show or two sometime! Thanks.

Head over to Zachary’s Myspace page to listen to his music and find out some more about him!

Thanks for checking out The Kind Artist. Join the mailing list or send us an e-mail if you’re interested in an interview. Tell your friends, your family, and everyone else you know, and join the Facebook page! (There will be giveaways!)

The Kind Artist wants to hear from you. If you or anyone you know is interested in interviewing with us, send us a message over at thekindartist@gmail.com and we will be more than glad to get back to you.

Up and coming artists showcase their talent and share their stories.

The Kind Artist is about you.

Copyright 2010 by (c) The Kind Artist.