Interview
Denise Webster
Denise Webster is an author and photographer. With a lifetime of experiences, accomplishments, and creative expression, she is a results-oriented artist with strong business acumen, known for effectively defining and implementing ROI. Denise is detail-oriented, innovative self-starter with strong creative, sales, and marketing skills to launch and execute innovative visions. In 2022, she published a children’s book. She has been vetted by the Sonoma Art Walk to highlight the best of the artistic community in monthly shows and annual collective showcase. Her local shows include Flatbed Farm, Deerfield Winery, Sonoma Women’s Club Holiday Boutique, among others.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have always been immersed in the creative arts. I was delighted that my professional career allowed me a creative outlet alongside business management. The highlight working as a creative and program manager for a high-tech, Fortune 500 company during the height of the dot.com explosion. As a global conference manager, I wove the technical knowledge base alongside a creative, expressive format. I was responsible for global conferences. On a personal level, I spent years traveling the world and discovered the history, artistic beauty of the countries visited. In addition, I collected art, attended professional plays, and avidly studied the work and careers of noted artists. Upon retirement, I started an art brokerage online art repository, selling the works of painters, graphic artists, sculptors, and photographers. I showcased my collections with shows in San Francisco, Denver, and New York City. It was a natural evolution to start my photography, including the creation of my e-commerce site, Reflections In A Golden Lens. It has been a seamless segue to a life filled with creative self-expression and joy.”
What inspires you?
“I often define myself as a visually creative storyteller. Photography and writing are my tools of expression. Beyond the literal. Into the dimension of emotional connection. I see a light-filled, colorful world, full of potential to not only capture the beautiful essence but also to inspire a visceral connection between the viewer and my work. I seek unusual interpretations of subject, through balance of color and reflections, through angles and placement. I am inspired by nature, architecture, people (this includes animals), and places. And I am simultaneously motivated to capture a unique perspective, capture, and ultimately a story.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Though there is planning and determination behind my photographs, there is no specific social underlying cause beyond capturing the moment, the subject, the wonder of it all. If there is a message to the viewer, it is an invitation to surrender to the visual and to realize a personal interpretation of the work. It is the message of discovery and connection Yes, that is exactly how I feel when I work but, as I continue on this journey, it is my hope that it translates to the viewer.”
How would you describe your work?
“My photography is literal and interpretive. It is creative and unique. It is a visual narrative of life. It is deeply personal as it captures a moment when all the technical, visual, creative, and emotional elements explode into one.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I collect antiques, from Japanese Imari bowls to antique Eiffel towers to Venetian glass paperweights. The color, lines, mastery of craft have given me a beautiful foundation in my mind and soul. No doubt the Impressionistic artists, Botticelli, Rodin, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. I am very inspired by such modern artists as Picasso, Hopper, and Wyeth. I admire the work of photographers Ansel Adams, Margaret Bourke-White, Dorothy Lange, Alfred Steiglitz, and Cecil Beaton. I continue to learn from all their work. Amazing!”
“My photography is literal and interpretive. It is creative and unique. It is a visual narrative of life.”
What is your creative process like?
“Sometimes, I simply walk out my front door and capture what appeals. I have a secret hope that I will capture amazing, spontaneous, unique photos. Especially when I travel, when I must maximize every moment, I use my skills and intuition to set up and capture my shots. No matter the time of day, the weather, etc. I often plan a visit to a location, an event. I strive for unique locations so that does involve research and intention from the onset. When asked to take specific photo sessions, preparation and specific setting of expectations with the client is integral. When I share my ‘best’ work on social media, on my e-commerce site, I acknowledge the ethos of the audience base. At shows, I have become more particular which ones I attend. I also spend time preparing the visual presentation to maximize the visibility, diversity of the collection, and pricing. But ultimately, I select my favorites and strive to the give the view a sense of who I am and the essence of my work.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“This is a great question. Everyone has different tastes and expectations when acknowledging an artist's work. Ultimately, if an artist presents their best work, they can be impactful. From simply creating a treasured artifact in someone's immediate world to presenting a uniquely crafted body of work, they stand out in the landscape of culture, history, and craft.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I began showing my work a year ago. My focus is has been building my website, ‘Reflections In A Golden Lens.’ I acknowledge that it is important to present my work in a live setting. It is important to meet me, the artist. I have sorted through a variety of ‘shows’ so I have narrowed the possibility of venue options. I have attached my resume that outlines my shows and awards. Ultimately, I want to return to New York and present a exhibit.”
Website: reflectionsinagoldenlens.square.site
Instagram: @dwebster.author.photographer
