Today we’d like to introduce you to Miachelle DePiano, Miachelle.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve been an artist since I was a young child. I’d watch my mother draw, and try to emulate her. My preferred medium was pen and ink, pastel, and charcoal. I drew up until I’d been in the Army a year, and then quit after a particularly thankless military task involving my artwork. Meanwhile, my whole life I was fascinated with photography. In high school, I was on the yearbook and newspaper staffs, and learned to shoot, develop, and print film.
Throughout my adulthood, I continued learning different arts and crafts. After moving here to Arizona in 2004, I started a jewelry business, and had some small success with the local fashion industry, and also managed to get published numerous times in nationally published jewelry craft magazines for my design ideas. As a result of participating in Labelhorde in its early inception, I became fascinated with digital photography. At the end of 2009, I closed my business and began playing with photography. Shortly thereafter I was writing and shooting for local newspapers and magazines. In 2017, I left the publication world, and am now focusing on shooting what gives me pleasure.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m a photographer, and to be honest, I like shooting different genres. My first love is black and white photography, and often I will shoot specifically for that end result. I love to shoot macro, because it forces me to slow down, breath deep, and pay attention to details, shapes and colors. I love shooting portraiture and capturing a person’s character, not their physical beauty. I love shooting architecture because I love the way the lines bring order to a chaotic world. I love shooting performers, because I love living in the moment with them, capturing their emotion, power, and years of honing their talent and craft. There’s too much in the world to see and appreciate to only shoot one genre. I’ve been very fortunate in the opportunities I’ve had, and I have many people to thank.
Last year I was forced to make some major changes to my shooting due to some physical issues. This year my work is slowly becoming more abstract and experimental, and I focus more on what an image means to me, rather than worrying about what an image means to others.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I think that technology is destroying our ability to really digest and appreciate anyone’s art. I love Instagram, but as I scroll through the accounts I follow, I always wonder what happens to the images we are all creating, what is it all leading to? We digest them in 2-3 seconds, and we move on to consume another just as quickly. I think culturally we are forgetting the value of seeing art in a tangible form. I think we have to remind ourselves and our audience that art in its most tangible form is where the value is. An image on a screen has an entirely different value than an image you see in print.
Second, I would say that if anything, as a portrait photographer and writer, I’ll shoot and write about anyone’s story, because everyone has a unique story and a unique reality. I want to be the storyteller, and let the audience take from the story what they will. Otherwise, when I shoot other genres, I’m shooting for my pleasure and my peace. I don’t want events and politics to invade that time that I make for me.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Currently my work is rotating through the Pita Jungle, and should be moving soon to the Queen Creek location. I am talking to a gallery about doing an exhibition in spring 2019, but that has not been solidified yet. Otherwise, I post on Instagram (@miachelledphoto), and my website is www.miachelled.com. The best way to support my work is to buy a print for your home or office!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.miachelled.com
- Email: miachelledphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: @miachelledphoto
Image Credit:
Miachelle D Photography, LLC
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