‘Brought to Light’ – Mobile Photography / Art Interview with Brett Chenoweth

Our ‘Brought to Light‘ interview section explores the mobile photographers and mobile artists behind their art. Each question has been carefully crafted and is designed to allow us to get to know them a little more intimately. To view others that we have published in this series, please go here.

Today, we are featuring Brett Chenoweth from the United States. Chenoweth is a indefatigable master of mobile art. His work explores his deepest thoughts, it’s a release whilst simultaneously raising the temperature of any room, graced to have its walls drenched in its rapture. Voluptuous painting enriched with eruptive historical art, Chenoweth goes deep, painting almost as a noctambulant wanderer, with the only sounds of his working method being his Apple pencil gently caressing the screen of his iPad. I envisage a mantra playing through his mind as he works with a triumph of strict, self-punishing will. Chenoweth is an artist with searing determination, he creates excitement mostly by transgressing the rules, he will switch you on!

This body of work drew us to Brett Chenoweth

All photos ©Brett Chenoweth

 

Describe a moment that changed your life

Well nothing even approaches, the moment when a nurse placed my daughter into my arms just a  a short minute after she was delivered. The amazement, the wonder, the bond, the immediacy of total presence all sparked into a single burst of my new life. There were many other life changing events but never anything so explosively poignant as that.

Untitled ©Brett Chenoweth

Describe a childhood photographic/art memory

When I was young I used to play out whole stories on a single page, drawing little tiny stick figures, forts, battles and monsters. By the the time the story ended, the page resembled a Jackson Pollock painting.

I received my first camera as a high school graduation gift. The fascination of looking through a lens, of being able to put to form, and expression to my daily life and beyond, propelled me into art school a year later.

‘123 Look At Me’ ©Brett Chenoweth

Describe a childhood photographic/art memory

My camera is my iPhone 7 plus. I love the 50mm like lens of the plus. I shoot through the native camera, Provoke app if I want to shoot directly in black and white, or Lightroom if I am taking my time.

I do all of my editing on a large iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil. Ninety five percent of my mobile art work is created in the app Procreate in which I can paint, draw and layer with impunity – anything can happen there. As far as my straight photography, I like to edit in Snapseed, VSCO, or Lightroom if I’m working with dng. flies.

Untitled ©Brett Chenoweth

What do you like to think about whilst you are creating images

I don’t know. That is to say, if things are going well I’m so intuitively involved with the piece as to be unaware of anything else. Just the other day while lost in my work, a friend who I had been  expecting knocked on my door; I jumped a mile, as I was heart poundingly jarred from my reverie.

I really try to stay away from to much thought or definition of meaning with my work: I feel doing so kills some of the magic.

‘Paint it Red’ ©Brett Chenoweth

Share one photo tip

Trust in the process. Work and shoot through the uninspired times, allowing yourself the freedom to make really bad art. Inspiration and the good stuff will come out of the process of working.

‘Parking Content’ ©Brett Chenoweth

Who or what ignited your passion for mobile photography

Shortly after buying my first iPhone, maybe 2012, I was playing with the camera and filters and made a black and white photo that I really liked. I had heard that some photo apps were better than the native camera, so I began researching and asking questions. Once involved the rest took care of itself. This all occurred just after I gave up my painting studio, so I was primed for a new creative outlet.

‘Reflection’ ©Brett Chenoweth

What is the most unusual subject you have photographed

I don’t really have specific response… The creative process is very surreal and often dream like to me. So within that mind set pretty much anything can take on unusual properties.

‘The Night Steward’ ©Brett Chenoweth

What are your favourite accessories for mobile photography

Other than my Apple Pencil I don’t use any. Never have. Love the pencil though.

‘What’s to Come’ ©Brett Chenoweth

Describe your dream Photography assignment

I think I could have a lot of fun with a handful of models, some props and some ancient ruins!

Untitled – ©Brett Chenoweth

What does mobile photography/art mean to you?

Working with my iPhone and pad has a freedom different from other mediums. Part of this freedom comes from working directly with photographic images – my camera is always in my pocket. More importantly though, working on my pad helps me keep the mess in view – not organized so much as quickly accessible. It’s like a working suit case for my brain.

‘Trickster’ ©Brett Chenoweth

Contact Details

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Website

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