Mobile Photography & Art – ‘Intimate Interview’ with Amy Ecenbarger from Indiana, United States
We have decided to launch a new intimate style of interview into TheAppWhisperer – the world’s most popular mobile photography and art website. We feel it is important that our community feel close to each other, as it is this support that helps us to nurture one another, gain confidence and continue to grow.
This is our thirteenth interview, to read the others, please go here. Today, we are publishing this exuberant, intelligent and irresistible interview with talented mobile artist Amy Ecenbarger from Indiana, United States. Enjoy.
All images ©Amy Ecenbarger
What was your childhood or earliest ambition?
I loved learning new languages, and hoped to someday be an interpreter at the U.N. It all sounded so exciting and glamorous.
First Recognition
While in college, I did some translating work for a professor who was writing a chapter in a textbook. I was surprised and honoured when she recognized me in the forward to her chapter.
First job?
I worked many odd jobs while in college, but my first job once I graduated was as a document manager for an international shipping company. Looking back, it now sounds kind of dry, but at the time I remember loving it.
Private or state school?
I attended public schools.
University or Work?
University.
Who was or still is your mentor?
I’ve had many, but my earliest mentor was a neighbour- she was several years older than me, but she kind of took me under her wing. From her I learned about women’s rights, racial discrimination, creative freedom, music and so much more. Happily, I’ve been able to reconnect with her through Facebook.
How physically fit are you?
I was never an athlete… but as I’ve gotten older I realize how important it is to remain active. I’m still not an athlete, but I do exercise each week. Not a fanatic by any means, but I focus on strength and flexibility. Hopefully I’ll be able to continue gardening and traveling well into my older years.
Ambition or Talent: What matters more to success?
For me, they go hand in hand. When I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll tend to work and focus more- which usually results in uncovering creative ideas and talents that might have otherwise remained hidden. I also believe that talents can be transferred from one endeavour to another. Math can transfer to music, which can transfer to art.
How politically committed are you?
I admit I’m a newly minted political junkie- ever since our U.S. presidential election of 2016.
What would you like to own that you don’t currently possess?
I can’t think of anything- truly.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
Travel and Chanel No. 5.
In what place are you happiest?
Two places- embarking on a new travel adventure and returning home.
What ambitions do you still have?
There are still many places I’d like to see and experience. India, Vietnam, Scotland, Slovenia to name a few.
What drives you on?
I want to stay healthy and relevant. I want to always be learning new things.
What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?
No question- my children are my greatest source of pride.
What do you find most irritating in other people?
Small mindedness.
If your 20 year old self could see you now, what would she think?
She’d be thrilled.
Which object that you’ve lost do you wish you still had?
I wish I still had all of my old record albums.
What is the greatest challenge of our time?
We’ve become so divided- it’s sad and troublesome. If we were not so divided and angry with each other, we could at least have discussions about solving some of our most pressing issues. Climate change, racial division, poverty and hunger will require global cooperation… but the appetite for that is in very short supply today.
Do you believe in an afterlife?
Yes I do- I can’t see it or feel it, but I know it’s there.
If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?
I‘m happy and healthy… my children are fine and they have beautiful families of their own, I live in a place that brings me great peace… I really couldn’t ask for more.
Contact Details for Amy Ecenbarger
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Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter, creator of the world’s most popular mobile photography and art website— TheAppWhisperer.com— TheAppWhisperer platform has been a pivotal cyberspace for mobile artists of all abilities to learn about, to explore, to celebrate and to share mobile artworks. Joanne’s compassion, inclusivity, and humility are hallmarks in all that she does, and is particularly evident in the platform she has built. In her words, “We all have the potential to remove ourselves from the centre of any circle and to expand a sphere of compassion outward; to include everyone interested in mobile art, ensuring every artist is within reach”, she has said. Promotion of mobile artists and the art form as a primary medium in today’s art world, has become her life’s focus. She has presented lectures bolstering mobile artists and their art from as far away as the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea to closer to her home in the UK at Focus on Imaging. Her experience as a jurist for mobile art competitions includes: Portugal, Canada, US, S Korea, UK and Italy. And her travels pioneering the breadth of mobile art includes key events in: Frankfurt, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Paris, Brazil, London. Pioneering the world’s first mobile art online gallery - TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com has extended her reach even further, shipping from London, UK to clients in the US, Europe and The Far East to a global group of collectors looking for exclusive art to hang in their homes and offices. The online gallery specialises in prints for discerning collectors of unique, previously unseen signed limited edition art. Her journey towards becoming The App Whisperer, includes (but is not limited to) working for a paparazzi photo agency for several years and as a deputy editor for a photo print magazine. Her own freelance photographic journalistic work is also widely acclaimed. She has been published extensively both within the UK and the US in national and international titles. These include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Popular Photography & Imaging, dpreview, NikonPro, Which? and more recently with the BBC as a Contributor, Columnist at Vogue Italia and Contributing Editor at LensCulture. Her professional photography has also been widely exhibited throughout Europe, including Italy, Portugal and the UK. She is currently writing several books, all related to mobile art and is always open to requests for new commissions for either writing or photography projects or a combination of both. Please contact her at: [email protected]
