DKG Arts Gallery: Artist’s Spotlight: An Open Artists’ Discussion on Creation, Technique & Opportunity

Janie Wigley – Texas State Organization

They say that everything is bigger than life in Texas.  We tend to agree with that thought between its rich culture, rolling hills of bluebonnets, Stetson hats, longhorn steers and the vast beauty of its hill country.  Our spotlight artist, Janie Wigley, hails from the great state of Texas, and we feel that her art is certainly bigger than life.  Janie concentrates her photography with
a close-up setting for the medium.  Close-up photography refers to a tightly cropped shot that shows a subject up close and with significantly more details than the human eye usually perceives.  With close-up photography, you close into your object, reducing the field of view and creating a tight frame around your subject.  It can be an effective technique to enhance a moment or experience. For our artist, Janie’s work celebrates nature and allows us to venture into its spectacular world and all its glory.  Please join us as we learn more about this self-proclaimed country girl, and her tips to taking that second look to create a “one in a million” moment.  Enjoy!

Briefly, tell us about yourself as an educator and artist.

I retired in 2013.  After retirement, my husband and I began traveling.  With travel came the desire to photograph the places and the experiences we had.

Tell us what inspired you and how you developed the artistic photograph you entered in the gallery.

I love photographing nature.  I like to look up close and personal in many of the photos I take.  I often look for the ordinary in an unexpected way.  Today, I saw a spider web that was wet from last night's rain.  What could be overlooked on most days, was an outstanding photographic event this morning.

What is the best artist advice you’ve been given by an artist or another photographer?
The best advice I've been given by another photographer is to take a second look.

What does the value of creative arts in education mean to you?

With grandchildren in the school system, I appreciate the creative arts.  Education that wasn't available to me years ago is now available to the youth of today to think and look at things in a different way.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

I'm just a country girl who loves life and all that is available in the world today!

The Arts & Humanities Jury looks forward to you returning often to view exciting new content and to share in the joy of creativity.  We hope that our readers will consider submitting their artistic work in the upcoming Spring Art Galley Submission period which opens from January 15^th through February 15^th.  Please refer to www.dkg.org to view the resource information and submission process.  We appreciate all the efforts of our talented DKG members who have participated, and we look forward to our newest applicants this spring. The Arts and Humanities Jury encourages you to share your talents and gift with our DKG members.

We invite you to view the Art Gallery, click here.

Keep the conversation going, please use the comment section below to suggest new topics, ask questions, or give us your input. If you have ideas or comments for the Arts and Humanities Jury, please let us know.