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How long you been taking pictures and why do you take pictures?

I've been taking photos as a hobby since I was about 12 when I found a disk camera in the woods. I take photos because I'm a very visual person and I like to share all the cool things I see with others. I also have a touch of A.D.D. and photography allows me to be creative on the go.

Favorite subject and why?

Birds. I'm obsessed with taking pictures of birds. I want to be a bird.

What's one thing you really hated taking a picture of?

I had to take a bunch of photos of a coffee stain on a piece of news paper once; I can't say I hated it, but it was pretty boring.

Biggest challenge for you in your photography?

Keeping up with technology. I love it. I secretly want to be a computer nerd, but it's a lot to keep up with.

Do you feel you are saying something with your photos? Do you tell a story and if so what is it all about?

I do feel I am saying "something" with my work. Sometimes it's hard to say the things you are feeling: trapped, unsettled, heartbroken, indecisive, whatever; sometimes those emotions are hard to express verbally. I take a lot more photos when I'm feeling any of those ways. I always feel better after a long walk alone with my camera. I do try to keep my photos hopeful by using bright soft colors even if the subject is leaning a little towards the sad side.

How do you get inspired by a subject?

Color, contrast, and texture grab me first; velvety green moss on a crusty red tree root... or the silhouettes of birds sitting on dark smooth telephone wires cutting through a blue/gray sky. Once I'm attracted, I start to think about the life of the subject. The moss can only grow in very specific conditions. The birds, what are they doing up there? Are they having a meeting, planning the tree-top neighborhoods they roost in, working; or are they just sitting up there telling jokes? I don't know. I get totally distracted by the tiniest things like that. It's actually good for me because it gets my mind off other crap.

What photographers do you enjoy most?

Dave Weaver is my favorite. His photos are deeply beautiful. I really dig my friend Curtis Patton's pictures too. He's not a pro or anything, but he has this sweet eye.

Any type of photography you just don't have a taste for?

Hmmmmm, I'd say I'm not cut out for crime scene photography; I faint easily at the sight of blood.

What's in the future for Mary Killmon?

I have two shows in April. I'm working on a strange cut-out idea with the Holga camera. I also just bought a box of glass negatives from the 1920's. I found them at an antique store. They're in great condition. I'm gonna try to print them. THEY tell a story. One is really gross. It's of a hog killing, meat cleavers and hanging, skinned, pig bodies. It's so sick, but a great exposure.... and I'm a vegetarian, so I want to gross the meat eaters out... just a little, I'm no fanatic.

Most embarrassing moment?

Getting busted doing it by my ex-boyfriend's dad! I actually screamed "EMBARRASSING!" and then ran to the bathroom. Oh, I hadn't thought about that one in years.... thanks. (At least you weren't caught doing "it" with his dad!)

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Written by: Jo Ann Duggins	Photos by: Mary Killmon
Full Name: Mary Elizabeth Killmon Age: 31 Currently Residing: Richmond VA. Hometown: Nassawadox (Eastern Shore of Virginia) Currently Listening to: Andrew Bird, Little Wings, and Denendra Banheart
Yes it's true, I know another great artist/photographer from Richmond, VA. Hey, you gotta represent! I've known Mary for a few years and first encountered her work at an art show in Richmond. I love her art because it gives you the feeling of youth and life. It represents a childlike quality in it's content...innocent...tranquil...free, but at times can be disturbing, but not unsettling. She can really capture a feeling really well. Her eye is one that makes you think she's telling you a story with her photos.
How long you been taking pictures and why do you take pictures? I've been taking photos as a hobby since I was about 12 when I found a disk camera in the woods. I take photos because I'm a very visual person and I like to share all the cool things I see with others. I also have a touch of A.D.D. and photography allows me to be creative on the go. Favorite subject and why? Birds. I'm obsessed with taking pictures of birds. I want to be a bird. What's one thing you really hated taking a picture of? I had to take a bunch of photos of a coffee stain on a piece of news paper once; I can't say I hated it, but it was pretty boring. Biggest challenge for you in your photography? Keeping up with technology. I love it. I secretly want to be a computer nerd, but it's a lot to keep up with. Do you feel you are saying something with your photos? Do you tell a story and if so what is it all about? I do feel I am saying "something" with my work. Sometimes it's hard to say the things you are feeling: trapped, unsettled, heartbroken, indecisive, whatever; sometimes those emotions are hard to express verbally. I take a lot more photos when I'm feeling any of those ways. I always feel better after a long walk alone with my camera. I do try to keep my photos hopeful by using bright soft colors even if the subject is leaning a little towards the sad side. How do you get inspired by a subject? Color, contrast, and texture grab me first; velvety green moss on a crusty red tree root... or the silhouettes of birds sitting on dark smooth telephone wires cutting through a blue/gray sky. Once I'm attracted, I start to think about the life of the subject. The moss can only grow in very specific conditions. The birds, what are they doing up there? Are they having a meeting, planning the tree-top neighborhoods they roost in, working; or are they just sitting up there telling jokes? I don't know. I get totally distracted by the tiniest things like that. It's actually good for me because it gets my mind off other crap. What photographers do you enjoy most? Dave Weaver is my favorite. His photos are deeply beautiful. I really dig my friend Curtis Patton's pictures too. He's not a pro or anything, but he has this sweet eye. Any type of photography you just don't have a taste for? Hmmmmm, I'd say I'm not cut out for crime scene photography; I faint easily at the sight of blood. What's in the future for Mary Killmon? I have two shows in April. I'm working on a strange cut-out idea with the Holga camera. I also just bought a box of glass negatives from the 1920's. I found them at an antique store. They're in great condition. I'm gonna try to print them. THEY tell a story. One is really gross. It's of a hog killing, meat cleavers and hanging, skinned, pig bodies. It's so sick, but a great exposure.... and I'm a vegetarian, so I want to gross the meat eaters out... just a little, I'm no fanatic. Most embarrassing moment? Getting busted doing it by my ex-boyfriend's dad! I actually screamed "EMBARRASSING!" and then ran to the bathroom. Oh, I hadn't thought about that one in years.... thanks. (At least you weren't caught doing "it" with his dad!) Back to Art