Mobile Photography and Art Interview – Hope In Adversity Interview with Phyllis Shenny from New Jersey, United States
I am currently shielding for twelve weeks and in my home, we have all had to make adaptions to adjust to this pandemic, although, at least, currently, we are all well. I’ve been recalling many of the good words our dear friend and talented artist Carolyn Hall Young shared with us, not least ‘in any given situation we can always choose, hope over fear‘ – let’s all choose hope.
I am aware there are many others also in a similar situation at the moment and I felt it would be a good idea to create an interview, reflecting these times with stunning imagery. This is a new series of interview with mobile photographers and artists discovering what they’re creating and how in these difficult times. Our seventh interview is with talented mobile photographer, Phyllis Shenny from New Jersey, United States. You may also know of her work from her popular Instagram account @phyllisshenny. Shenny writes with some restraint but between the words the emotional impact of this pandemic sneaks up on you. Enjoy!
If you are social distancing or social isolating at this time, are you using any additional time you may have to create mobile digital art or photography?
I hadn’t been doing too much art for some months and now being home life is a bit more simplified and I have been doing more. That said I’ve worked from home for many years so that part is the same. The difference is not being able to go places and meet people.
If so, have you noticed the style of art that you’re creating changing from what you would normally create?
Actually not till you asked this question and looked back a bit. But I’d say yes. I hope to evolve while creating more.
If yes, to the above, can you explain how your art has changed?
If yes, to the above, can you explain how your art has changed I actually went back to some things I used to do years ago and took photos of things right in front of me in the house and then edited them. I’ve also been working on images i had marked to work on with a style I’ve decided to use more. But as i review i see some newer styles. In addition I used an app to place my posters in room settings for my new Shopify store. I’ve had to refocus this to home use from spa, medical etc in light of the virus.
Have you found additional inspiration to create at this time?
Yes definitely without many people around going into myself to create is a great companion. Taking the time to review photos I’ve meant to work on was also a great inspirational reminder.
Is creating mobile digital art/photography, helping you at this time specially, how and why?
As I said above it’s keeping me company especially at night when I stay up later. I feel like I’m putting some future there by creating. I was supposed to be in some shows but 2 were cancelled and the third we will see. But starting new projects or redoing older ones is comforting. Doing artwork just for my pleasure is always helpful to me.
Do you feel that sharing mobile art/photography at this time is spreading a unity of peace?
Yes definitely. If you noticed I launched my Shopify page to sell my healing art posters. I will soon put that art on t-shirts and mugs. They are positive and encouraging and something for people while they are at home.
Anything else you would personally like to add…?
We need to support artists and each other. Anyway we can. Whether it’s looking at art and acknowledging or purchasing art. Or taking the time to share ideas and techniques. We need to try to get through this with tools to expand again. My new site is shop.artnsoul.biz
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Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
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