Mobile Photography & Art – ‘Hope in Adversity Interview’ with Fleur Schim from from Leucadia, California, 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 fifteenth interview is with talented mobile photographer, Fleur Schim from California, United States. This is an interview that embraces the natural resources of nature itself. It’s an example of what the Japanese call shinrin-yoku which translates to ‘forest bathing’. There are a host of psychophysiological benefits to be gained from merely being, passively, in natural versus urban settings. 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 am both social distancing and isolating, currently. I live with my husband, Jack. Unfortunately, as a result of my distancing and isolation, I am unable to visit with my two adult children, nor three grandchildren.
However, I am an avid walker. I live in a beautiful community, and hike every day, mostly by myself, in a nearby canyon or other trails, occasionally on the beach. While I enjoy occasional company, I am used to being alone on the path. I enjoy my alone time, as these moments are for enjoying nature and seeing beauty. I use this “opportunities” to take mobile photographs of the scenery, including landscapes, clouds, silhouettes, and macro details of plants. I find that when I am alone, or with my husband, who is also a photographer, I slow down my pace and really notice the scenes.
If so, have you noticed the style of art that you’re creating changing from what you would normally create?
I experiment more with new or less used apps. I think my style has become more contemplative. I am mindful of these stress-free moments of creativity when I seek out beauty.
If yes, to the above, can you explain how your art has changed?
In addition to my long walks, I am spending more time in my yard. I have an extensive collection of succulents, aloes and agaves. Very colorful flowering plants are blooming now; so many shapes and textures. The weather, including a lot of rain, has created a visual feast of color. I am taking more time to view and enjoy the brilliance in plant growth.
Have you found additional inspiration to create at this time?
I am more sensitive to my environment, as I am now limited and limiting my scope. I notice that the weather conditions influence how I edit my images. If the sky is overcast, and the lighting is reduced, I create more moody interpretations through app filters. I might sense that an image might be better suited as a watercolor or painting, or perhaps black and white, or sepia. My mood is influenced by my environment which plays into my creative process.
Is creating mobile digital art/photography, helping you at this time specially, how and why?
Creating mobile digital art has always been very healthful for me. More so, now, as I find it fills a loneliness void since I am isolating. I find solace in my artistry. I find myself more engrossed. This is a wonderful consolation in this time of distress.
Do you feel that sharing mobile art/photography at this time is spreading a unity of peace?
Sharing my images both inspires and calms. I am a part of a wonderful, inclusive artistic community. We stay unified and connected through our art. I am constantly inspired by other’s art, and love to reinvent myself through interesting styles and approaches.
In addition…
Finally, thank you, Joanne, for your sensitivity and inclusiveness. I love the creative outlets that you provide for sharing our passion. They are both inspiring and educational. They enhance my artistic process for the pure joy of creating!
Please read…
TheAppWhisperer has always had a dual mission: to promote the most talented mobile artists of the day and to support ambitious, inquisitive viewers the world over.
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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]
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