Interview
Eva Mercer
Eva Mercer, a photographer based in Pennsylvania, has dedicated the past 15 years to the art of fine art portraiture. With a background rooted in broadcasting and journalism, including photojournalism, Mercer seamlessly melded her passion for storytelling with her innate talent for photography, forging a harmonious marriage of art and narrative. Mercer's evolution into the world of portraiture marked a significant turning point in her artistic journey. It was here that she unveiled her distinctive style of storytelling, a style characterized by her remarkable ability to masterfully navigate the interplay of light and shadow. This unique skill allows viewers to hone in on the exquisite beauty and significance of the light that permeates her photographic compositions.
Over the years, Mercer's work has transcended traditional photography, offering viewers a glimpse into her personal realm of storytelling. Each portrait she crafts is a meticulously composed narrative, inviting the audience to delve into the intricate emotions and stories that lie beneath the surface. Mercer's dedication to her craft and her unwavering commitment to capturing the essence of her subjects have solidified her as a distinguished artist in the world of fine art portraiture.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My background is in Journalism/Broadcasting. I started as a broadcaster in the USAF in the mid 90’s and transitioned to civilian journalism in the mid 2000’s. I had always been in love with the idea of storytelling, however, once I became a photojournalist, I realized, the possibilities of telling stories my way with photography. In 2011, I began teaching myself the artistic side of portraiture and have been moving on full steam ahead ever since. In 2020, after the lockdown was lifted, I was able to find my own studio space, where I began to work on artistic portraits with a main focus in PTSD and Mental Health disorders and in 2023, opened my doors to expand my portraiture services to any survivor who needed artistic expression and visual journaling.”
What inspires you?
“My own darkness is what inspires me honestly. As someone who suffers from PTSD and mental health disorders, I am inspired to find light in a very dark world. I try very hard to make things that would otherwise seem dark or grotesque, seem beautiful and understood. I love to play in the shadows, which is where I find myself most comfortable and inspired.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“In my work, I often explore themes related to the human experience, resilience and the interplay between darkness and light. There is a consistent underlying message of finding beauty, understanding and hope amid adversity. I aim to convey a sense of empathy and connection through my art, encouraging viewers to see the world from a different perspective.”
“In my work, I often explore themes related to the human experience, resilience and the interplay between darkness and light. There is a consistent underlying message of finding beauty, understanding and hope amid adversity.”
How would you describe your work?
“I describe it as raw and simple. While the overall theme might not overtly make sense to most, I feel as if the viewer is able to get what they need out of it. My work aims to capture the essence of the human experience, often revealing hidden beauty in the darkness. By stripping away the extraneous and focusing on centralized character, I invite viewers to engage with my work on an intimate level. Each image serves as a canvas upon which individuals can project their own emotions, memories, and interpretations, making it a deeply personal and evocative experience for each observer.”
Which artists influence you most?
“That’s a three-part answer and possibly odd answer. First, Annie Liebowitz. Her ability to fall in love with each subject and project their essence into each photograph has driven me to continue working harder until I can achieve the same magical formula. Second, Andrew Wyeth. As a painter, his brush strokes carried with it his emotions, until you could feel exactly what he felt. The loneliness and yearning in his paintings were so hauntingly beautiful and perfectly captured. And finally, Edgar Allen Poe. The way he was able to play in the darkness and create such intricate and beautiful storylines in it.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is built out of chaos, lack of sleep and lucid dreaming. Most of my ideas come from flashes of images I get when thinking of certain emotions or scenarios. I have always seen the world a little bit differently than others, so I try to project my through my lens. Once I get the flash of an image, I spend days or weeks allowing itself to build into a fully thought-out concept, but I never truly reveals itself until the day of. I will write on post it notes, or note pads, until I have a poem, colors, and feelings that I know I want to convey. Once I get the model, and start putting things together, I can see the “puzzle’s pieces” falling into place. It could be because of a look she gave, or a pose that matched the color of the skirt. And half the time, it doesn’t even fit the original image in my head. Once I get home from the studio to edit, I start to imagine what the portrait is emoting, and try to feel it as I am editing it, so that I can find the right color grading to match what I am feeling.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“We are a mirror for the outside world, reflecting the emotions and struggles faced by society. We have the ability to say what needs to be said in a way that connects with people on a deeper level, inspiring and provoking change. As artists, we are able to not only express what others cannot, but we speak for those who cannot, will not or do not know how. We have always been the ones to challenge norms, promote empathy and cultivate understanding. In this evolving role, we have gone from canvas and stage to the digital world, expanding our reach. Artists are now able to become essential contributors in the evolution of change and not just documenting it as it were in the past.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I unfortunately have not been in as many exhibitions as I would like, but the one I most notably remember is the one I was part of last October. I was able to showcase part of a series I had worked very hard on. It was a series focusing on PTSD. Each portrait was captured with a specific story to be told. The “models” were actual survivors, who came forward to participate. I was grateful to finally find a space to showcase some of the pieces that we had all worked so hard on, and bared a piece of our souls to make.”
Website: www.evaseraphinestudios.com
Instagram: @evaseraphinestudios
Brush Bio: www.brush.bio/evamercer
