For as long as I can remember, I've been following Michelle's stream of photos on flickr, in awe and envy of the simultaneous intimacy and intricacy of moments that seem to fill her life. Whether capturing a portrait, a rumpled bed, or the crooked wall of photos inside a home, Michelle's images are nuanced studies rife in texture and pattern that embrace light and layers. She takes cues from her Costa Rican heritage, but also appears to venture out into nature to capture its tiniest vignettes.
We are honored to include Michelle amongst our most recent Hot Shots and look forward to seeing her images on the gallery walls. Keep reading for a short Q&A with Hot Shot Michelle Arcila and look forward for more news and info about the HHS! show and Michelle's work to come:
From:
Long Island, NY. However, I was always back and forth between NY and Costa Rica with my mom.
Formal and/or informal education and training:
I started to get really obsessed with photography so I decided to take a photo class when I was 14 in high school. Thankfully I went to a high school that offered photography for the entire four years I was there. I then attended the School of Visual Arts where I graduated with a B.F.A in photography.
How you pay the bills:
I work full time as a personal assistant. And I try and get freelance photo jobs here and there on nights and weekends.
Best advice received (as a photographer and/or human):
To never underestimate the power of wishful thinking.
Top 3 Favorite Artists:
Frida Kahlo, Vermeer, William Eggleston
Photograph that you can't get out of your head, ever:
I am so sorry that I can not pick just one because I have to say that the William Eggleston exhibition Democratic Camera in its entirety is something I can not get out of my mind. I am not kidding when I say that I cried walking through it. I just thought it was such a pure sincere form of art that is rarely seen in the art world.
I also have to add that there is one more photograph I can't get out of my head and it's Andreas Gursky's Schiphol. I think that if I ever came into lots and lots of money that would be the first thing I would buy. I have Andreas Gursky's book and I try to keep it always open to page 99. Schiphol's page.
Photographers/artists you are looking at right now:
Roni Horn is literally making my mind expand so much. I love how she can bring personal experience to any object and she does it in this way that is both warm and cold at once.
I've also gone back to looking at Paula Rego's work, the narratives that she creates in her paintings are truly remarkable to me.
Reading now:
Report on Myself by Grégoire Bouillier
Top 3 photo blogs/websites:
I really like looking at Dazed Digital. Good bits on music, art, fashion and photography. hei Astrid is really lovely. Lastly Young Photographers United is great and I am lucky to be a part of that site.
Top 3 non-photo blogs/websites:
1. Boomkat -- I can spend hours on their website discovering new music.
2. YouTube for obvious reasons.
3. I enjoy NY Mag throughout my days.