----- Name: Brian Rawson ----- Age: 26 ----- Currently Residing: Long Island, NY ---- ----- Currently Listening to: Down & Mad Season....but not at the same time -----
I ran into Brian Rawson at a Unite for Fashion Art/Fashion show in Long Island, NY. I don't know why, but I kept coming back to his table. I finally decided there was something drawing me to his photographs. I would say that Brian is an "everyman" photographer. He has elements of his craft that lures people in. For someone who doesn't find photography all that challenging, he definitely conveys an eye for it.
You're
26 years old and have a lot to your credit already...how long have you been
taking pictures?
I've been doing photography for about 4 years now and graphic arts for about 8 years. I never really planned on becoming a photographer, it just happened.
You're subject matter tends to lean a lot towards nudes - was this a natural occurrence or intentional? How do you go about choosing your subject matter?I think shooting nudes is probably just a phase. Eventually I would like to do more work that doesn't involve people but for now I am still enjoying shooting people and nudes for my art work. Finding models to work with was a problem when I first started but now I get girls finding me who want to work with me and I still shoot my friends.
What has been the most challenging work to date?
Honestly,
I don't find photography to be all that challenging, but the one experience
that stands out the most was when I worked with a model who was deaf.
We had to pass notes to communicate during the photo shoot. I've never
done anything remotely close to that and it was the most uplifting experience
that I have had so far.
My favorite celeb to work with was by far Miss Piggy. Not only is she one of the world's top ten divas, she is also a great kisser but shhh don't tell Kermit. If I could choose anyone to photograph it would have to be Ozzy Osbourne.
What do you feel are some exciting things going on in the art world of photography?I live under a shell, so I don't really know much about what is going on in the art world, and I rarely let other artists under my shell. It's a nice and cozy shell.
Influences?
Al Bundy, Homie the Clown, Mike Patton, Spanky, my dog, and especially all of the models I've worked with.
What do you feel you represent with your photos?I guess it would all depend on the individual photos. I have a few series that I am working on and they are all pretty different. Some of my work is surreal and some of it is simplistic portraiture. I guess it depends on my mood.
You've gotten some new work up recently, what inspired this series?My newest series (as of July 2006) is called "Happy
Trees". It is my most "feel good" series that I've ever
done. It basically was inspired by all of the hippies who come to my art
shows. I go through different phases with my art and photography and I
guess I'm having a feel good moment.
www.BrianRawson.com
www.myspace.com/brianrawson
I am currently compiling a collection of photos that I am going to pitch to book publishers soon, that is my ultimate goal, and to do a lot more art/gallery shows.
Favorite Mythological Character?hmmmm.... Zeus' Mom