PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT MARK ELZEY
I’m Mark Elzey, currently 33 years old from a small town called Bogalusa in Louisiana. My early years as a kid I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, watching her paint for hours, while she had her favorite music playing in background. Art is apart of my DNA because of her, my life path became an easy choice. I was placed in top art magnet & charter schools throughout the southern states of America. My love for Art is connected to the people I meet and connect with.
Leila: Mark, we are very happy to have you with us today, we love your work and we especially appreciate the uniqueness you bring with your eye for detail and in particular to skin, in all its texture and colours. Tell us about your greatest inspirations/and or influences?
Mark: My very first inspiration was my grandmother as she was a painter. When I was placed in magnet schools for Art I discovered MC Escher, and Leonardo Da Vinci. I really loved the way Da Vinci used math in his Art with inspired my love for numbers and physics.
How are the current trends in technology and innovation affecting your work as a creative?
I am up to date as I love implementing new tech and softwares to see if it improves my workflow. I previously worked in Apple retail for a few years, in which naturally I had to be knowledgable when I taught customers how to use and have fun with their products. Being in that environment allowed me to better understand the connection of people and their relationship with technology. Now I use the same connection tool of being able to connect with my subjects. If I’m not excited then why should my subject be excited?
We’d love to hear more about your creative process.
My creative process revolves around music, from shooting to editing. Using music as part of my creative process and thinking is a learned tactic from my grandmother. I feel that it allows me to see the soul in images. When I’m editing I listen to music at full volume to full engage without disturbance from outside sources. I also believe listening to various genres of music allows me to see different things in images.
What do you think of the art world?
It is forever changing, but I believe its up to the artist to keep up with it, and keeping open mind to what’s possible. The one thing I’ve found very helpful is practicing detachment with images. I’m always receptive to feedback as its important for where I plan to go with my works. It also opens many other doors when you’re able to listen and hear what your client actually needs.
What does wellbeing mean to you and anything in particular that you practice?
Wellbeing is everything in everything. I love to practice meditation, reflection, and going for long walks. I feel my spirit is lifted even in times of stress, but I’m not bothered. I work hard and listen to my heart and soul to decide my next steps. That’s the beauty of life to me, desire the best for yourself and those around you and life will reward you the experiences you need to best move forward.