Untitled from City Beautiful

Earlier this month, 2009 Hot Shot + Ultra Mike Sinclair, one of the newest artists added to the gallery's roster, came to visit New York from his hometown of Kansas City. He stopped by JBP HQ and the gallery, and a few of us were fortunate to have the chance to talk to him about his practice and see prints of images he's made over the last several decades. At the gallery, he chatted with Associate Director Jeffrey Teuton about his experience becoming a Hot Shot, releasing editions on 20x200 and how these experiences made an impact on his career.

Fourth of July #2, Independence, Missouri by Mike Sinclair

Mike: I think, like a lot of photographers, I entered HHS! not thinking that I might succeed, but more motivated by the chance to get my work in front of the several judges whose opinions I respected.

Jeffrey: How did you choose what to send in?

Mike: When I finally made the decision to submit to HHS!, it was difficult then deciding what to send in, because I've been at it a while and have quite a lot of work. I had just finished spending about a year photographing Kansas City's parks and boulevards system, and that was the work that I was very involved in. [see image above]

Gladstone Community Center, Gould Evans from Architecture: Public portfolio

Jeffrey: And how has it been over the years, transitioning from commercial photography into fine art, and walking that line? [an image from Mike's commercial portfolio is pictured above]
 
Mike: Well, in college I studied as a fine arts photographer and then - instead of teaching - I decided I'd prefer to be a commercial photographer and I've made my living as an architectural photographer for many years. I've always done personal work, but it's only been recently that I've started showing that work. I'm in a lucky situation in Kansas City where I have some great architectural firms that use me, and they're also very interested in what I do in the fine art world. If something has changed, it's that the two bodies of work have started to grow together, and that's great.

Jeffrey: How did becoming a Hot Shot impact your career?
Mike: Well, to find out that I was one of the finalists was amazing, and immediately all kinds of things started happening. You know, congratulations from people who had gone to see my work for the first time, and I got a call from Time magazine to go photograph in Detroit—The Detroit Symphony Orchestra—which was an amazing job. And things continue to happen! While I was here in New York this week, Penguin Books emailed me about using one of my photographs for a book cover. The experience continues to help get my work in front of people.

Check out more of Mike's work on his website, and follow in his footsteps by entering HHS! before August 31st, 2010!

Mike also has four editions available on 20x200: Midway, Neshoba County Fair, Philadelphia, Mississippi, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 2000, Rodeo Stars, Strong City, Kansas and Fourth of July #2, Independence, Missouri