Interview
Courtney Friend
Courtney was born in Indiana, Unites States. She has lived in areas of Indiana all of her life. Courtney’s artistic influences are from things that she has seen on social media and photos she has seen when traveling. She does not have any art training and did not go college for art. She actually has a degree in Medical Assisting and recently self taught herself a little over 2 years ago to do photography.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am Medical Assistant and have not any prior experience with photography until about 2 years. I do photography on the side from my Medical Assisting position and with the extra time that I have. How I started my journey in the art in art world, was because I love taking photography of daughter and this was a way that I could express myself through my photography. I also just love taking pictures and sharing with my family and then it just became my passion. Then, I started taking photography of animals, nature, sunsets/sunrises, flowers, and everything in between. I did not realize how much I loved it until my photography just kept getting better and better. Friends and family mentioned how well I was doing with my photography and even after being exhibited around the world.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My photography aims to express my life and the people who are in my life on a daily basis. I also have passion to continue to do my best in every aspect of the photography. My photography helps other people see the way that I see photography through my own eyes. It allows me to have a personal connection with me and it helps to increase perception of my trustworthiness and the credibility that I have. It has allowed me to be able to express my emotions and my artistic abilities and skills. My photography can help raise awareness for the environment and the beauty of the earth. It can help those people who want to raise awareness for animals and keeping the world beautiful. It can help inspire other people to keep the world clean and allow nature to flourish through my images.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I have not been able to work in advance on my photography. Lately, I have used improvisation. I have been smart about when to take photography during early daylight hours, daylight and evening hours. I hope someday to have a perfect plan that I can do my work in advance.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“The current art world trends that I continue to follow are Minimalism, Solo Single subjects, Trend of Black and White images, Dramatic Lighting, Floral Art, Creative Composition, Street Photography and Macro view.”
“My photography aims to express my life and the people who are in my life on a daily basis.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“The process that I use to take photography is finding the correct lighting and certain angles in which I can take my photography. I sometimes will use different objects, such as ladders, seashells, raindrops and frames, objects in nature mainly to take photography. I use my Samsung Galaxy S9+ cell phone to take my photography. The techniques that I use first of all is using Focal Point, making sure that chose where that subject of the picture will be centered in the photo. I also make sure that the picture in in focus and that is not blurry. One way that I can really get close the subject for instance a bumblebee on a cone flower is that turn the phone upside down then get as close the subject as possible and snap several pictures. I do not use any photo software and to edit my photography.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Why art means a lot to me is it is way for me to express how I feel and express myself with photos. I can escape in the world of photography and always escape to doing what I love. It something that allows me to create the images and way of life that I want other to see the world through my eyes. It keeps my life positive and keeps my anxiety from being too much. It is something I am always striving to do better and create the images that I want to have a lifetime. I want to always keep pushing myself to do better and creating photography that I hope someday with be on walls of people’s homes. It allows me to travel and still enjoy what I love doing. It also allows me to have new ideas.”
What’s your favorite artwork and why?
“My favorite piece of photography is a picture of the fountains, in the Pigeon Forge, TN district of the Island shopping region. The photography picture is in black in white and depicts fountains dancing in the air, it creates a sense of peace and calming. Th reason it is my favorite picture is it’s the first picture that really started my photography career and it has traveled to several countries around the world in exhibitions.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“The exhibitions that I have participated in the world include Bogata Columbia: Espacio El Dorado Gallery-Powerful Composition, Art of Black & White Chicago Illinois: Bridgeport Art Center- Perfect Shot, Ultimate Exhibition Shot x2, My Perfect Shot Barcelona, Spain: Valid World Hall Gallery-Our Amazing Planet x2, Single Solo Subject, Powerful Composition, Best of Black & White x2, Art of Black & White x2, My Perfect Shot, My Exhibition Shot Johannesburg South Africa: FotoZA gallery-Best of Black & White x2, Art of Photography, Our Amazing Planet, My Favorite Shot.”
Instagram: @Medstudcutie1012
