Interview
Randy Land
Randy has had a deep love of nature, it's beauty, and the solitude it provides since he was very young. He would spend countless hours, quietly exploring nature - absorbed in the intricate patterns and design found everywhere, even in the most overlooked places. He considers himself a student of discovery rather than art. In the quest to satisfy his strong need for creative expression, he has actively explored a spectrum of artistic pursuits. It is photography that has remained closest to his heart since youth. His large-format archival giclee’ on canvas compositions are finished to visually and texturally move between stunning photography and realistic painting.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My interest in art and photography began in my early teens, for two very similar reasons. I’ve always been a bit of an introvert and art gave me a much needed creative outlet. I also have a strong attachment to the peace and seclusion found in nature, and photography allowed me to capture those moments and revisit them any time I wanted. Creative expression has been a constant element in my life since. Over the years I’ve explored a broad spectrum of creative interests, including watercolor, pen and ink illustration, charcoal impressionism, mixed media, furniture design - for a short period, I even tried my hand as a cartoonist. Photography has always been my most persistent interest. Until recently, I’ve only pursued art and photography on a personal level. I’ve gifted pieces over the years and have a number of them in my home, but never put them out there for the world to see. I’ve always wanted to be a full-time photographer and artist. However, raising a family and providing for them meant those dreams took a back seat. I always promised myself that when I retired, I would pursue art. Several years ago, physical issues forced me to retire early from a career in software engineering. I’m not one to sit around so, pursuing my dreams of being a professional photographer and artist was a given. It’s quite accurate to say I’ve always been an artist, but am just now beginning my journey into the ‘art world.’ So far, the trip has been amazing!”
What inspires you?
“Deep emotion. What I mean by that is, whenever art - regardless of the medium - presents or evokes deep emotion for the artist, or the viewer, it’s inspiring. I’m most often attracted to abstract art, because it has a unique power to express and evoke deep feelings without dictating what to feel - each person has a visceral yet unique experience. This is present in my own art. Every work in my collection holds deep meaning and emotion for me personally. My hope is that it also moves others.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“As I indicated, I’m an extreme introvert by nature. My default is to seek solitude, seclusion, and time and space for meditation. I'm also deeply connected to the restorative power of pristine untouched natural spaces. These are all persistent themes in my work. I’m also very drawn to the unique perspectives and compositions that are all around us, hidden in plain view. I think its very important to unplug from the constant roar of external input and allow ourselves to discover the world around us, as if the sound is off - to actually see it. The opportunities and pristine settings that once supported that are vanishing rapidly, and must be treasured and protected.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work moves between realism, impressionism and abstract, with some element of all three in most compositions. My current collections are large-format giclee' on archival canvas pieces, composed from my decades of personal photography. Each piece is meticulously composed to explore the deeper emotions and atmosphere of the original experience - the ‘why’ behind the shot. Each is also beautifully finished to allow it to lean into a subtle softness not often experienced with fine art photography.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I've had a love of architecture since I was very young. I also geek out over black and white abstract and landscape art. I have to admit that I often respond to individual works more that specific artists. There are two artists that have influenced me most recently, Hélène Binet and Fernando Guerra. They have very divergent styles, with a unique ability to convey a strong feeling of atmosphere in each work. Of course, no one can immerse you in a space you've never been, like Ansel Adams. You cannot sit with his work and not be transported.”
“My art explores the underlying connection between the real world spaces we experience, and the emotions that influence our response to those experiences. Solitude and peace are recurring themes in my art. It is in quiet moments, surrounded by the pristine beauty of nature, that we can truly find peace and healing. Natural spaces and our opportunities to experience them are vanishing.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is iterative to the extreme! I don't remember ever sitting down and composing a work in a single session. In fact, I'm usually working on several pieces at the same time. Some of the work in my current collection took years to go from a photograph to final release. I consider myself a discovery artist. When I go out to shoot for artistic compositions, I sometimes come back without a single photo, because I shoot very reactively. A composition catches my eye and I take it. I don't always know why it caught my attention, I just trust the process. Once in my archive, I may look at a composition many times over the course of months - even years - before working on it, because I cannot take it from photograph to art until I understand the underlying feeling, emotion, or ‘voice’ that prompted me to capture that composition. Once I know what that is, my sole artistic goal is to bring that out in the final piece. I never actually know whether the final piece will be closer to the original photography or a complete abstraction, until I start working on it. Every single step of this is a process of discovery. That discovery process is what drives me and deepens my passion for my art with each work.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I can only speak to my role. As an artist, I try to reflect and draw up deep feelings that are often overshadowed or stifled by the increasingly intrusive world we live in. If I can help my viewers tap into their feelings, promote personal healing, and discover passions they long forgot, I've filled my role. I have deep concern for the future of art in our society. The progression of technology and AI has the potential to devalue artists significantly. True art comes from human emotion and passion. AI cannot produce anything from that perspective, so everything it produces is simply a reflection of something that came before - something learned rather than experienced. Art should never be a product or commodity. I hope that we can find a balance that preserves the value of artists.”
Website: www.ralandfineart.com
Instagram: @raland_fineart
