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In Focus Artist Of The Week With @BeHereNow

artistPosted for Everyone to comment on, 5 years ago12 min read


©2016 - @beherenow | Selfportrait

When did you start creating art and what is your earliest memory of that?

Art comes in many different shapes and forms. I think we all have created art in our earlier stages of life, as kids. Personally, for me, I started to develop my love for creating visuals when I was experimenting with the camera that my parents bought me for my 18th birthday. It was my first time. I needed it for college, even though I didn’t study for photography.

This dates back to 2006. I have no memory of what technique I used for this specific photograph, but I do recall having my sensor exposed in a way it shouldn't be exposed. I had my camera for about just a week, and while walking with my classmates around the city I saw a sprinkler and tried something out.

After this, I became pretty obsessive with photography. I was doing it every day, all day long. Always experimenting and never stopping, not even this very day.

© 2006 - @beherenow | One of my first photographs


Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why?

While there are many, many elements that work well with art, I find the element of emotion the most challenging and interesting. There are no rules applied to this. When you work with lines, composition or light, for example, there are so many rules that can influence your piece of art. That's why I love working with emotion. There is no judgment involved. If you feel that way, you feel that way.

© 2015 - @beherenow | Sight


What is your most important artist tool?

I would be so lost if I hadn't my eyes. At a very young age, I always wondered if we saw the world the same. Would the color green that I perceive be the same colour green for someone else? Later, when I started photographing, I received compliments from strangers that were following my work for quite some time. This one I will never forget: "I am in love with your perspective on the world. You see things so beautifully". At first, it was hard for me to understand what she meant but it made me realize that my vision is my tool and that camera makes it all possible. I mean, I've always seen the world like this, so it made me wonder how other people would perceive it.
Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?

Haha, interesting question! And I can name a lot of things that I would like to have at all times. But if I had to strip it down to three things, it would be a camera, work-station, and an empty hard-drive. I can work without food for days...

© 2015 - @beherenow | My aunt and grandmother


What inspires you?

I would say that people themselves inspire me. A lot. But there has to be a story behind that. Conflict, injustice, ambition, passion or love for example. I get all fired up if I encounter a conflict or see some injustice. I have a strong sense of what is right and wrong, but I try not to judge others except myself. Ambitious passionate people light a fire in my soul. As long as I don't sense any selfish intentions I would be happy to give.
Who inspires you?

I don't have specific artists that inspire me. But there are countless people that inspire me. Let it be something that they have shared, created or done. I just have an interest in a lot of things, so it isn't difficult to get me inspired. I enjoy looking at surreal art that isn't too much exaggerated. I can enjoy the surreal photography art from Dave Hill a lot, but he stopped creating those a long time ago. Also, Erwin Olaf has created magnificent work. If one photographer has mastered the art of light it would be him. Artists like Maurits Cornelis Escher(MC Escher), and Salvador Dali have inspired me with their work as well. It's simply genius.

© 2015 - @beherenow | FACES


Why do you create art?

To make a difference. To brighten up someone's day. To motivate people, to get those legs walking. Less talking. Start the walking. I honestly hope that my art can bring positivity, or at least serve as a trigger to think about certain things. My art goes in all sorts of directions and is created at the most random times.
Explain what you do in about 100 words.

I am a professional freelance photographer that helps brands achieve stronger identity. I assist my clients on decision making, expressing their appearance online or offline. I always aim to improve myself and often try things out before I publish them. I like to prepare myself. Besides the business side of me, I am usually always working on something that is photography related. Whether it be trying out new techniques or creating fine art. You hardly see me chill and relax, which I should do more often!

© 2017 - @beherenow | Kiekjes & Kliekjes #1


Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

Currently, I am working out a series about an occasion that happened not so long ago. I feel that while we transcend more into the digital and online era, we often find the need to judge other people for no reason. I see a lot of people carrying hate, jealousy. Towards people they have never met. We label people without trying to connect with them.

I once did an experiment with myself and I disconnected from the digital world for about a year. I limited my use of my phone and internet. All I had was a studio, off-line playlist, a bed, and a kitchen. I started to feel lonely. I organized an event in my own house and invited random people. Food, music and a portrait taken by me. They had to pay about 20 USD for a ticket, just to cover the food and some of my time in post-processing. I was excited to see how things would go and how people would interact with each other.

© 2015 - @beherenow | TUNNELVISION


Is the artistic life lonely? If yes, what do you do to counteract it? If no, why do you think that is?

I live a pretty isolated life. Yes, there is a hole in my soul. I often feel misunderstood, or find it hard to share a deep connection with someone. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with being an artist, or my take on the world. But I find the necessity to express myself either with photography or playing the piano.
Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.

Hmm... tough question! But there should be none. Personally, I don't like to compare others and myself at all. I do take it as a compliment when people refer my work to famous photographers like Anton Corbijn, or pianists like Chopin. I have a lot of respect for those artists, but I just want to be me. I think that's also one of my traits, during the years I have developed my own style and people are already seeing what photographs are mine and what aren't.
Professionally, what are your goals?

I want to share my vision with the world. Have a book published that's filled with my stories and work.

© 2010 - @beherenow | No Title


If you could only meet one artist from any time, who would it be?

Leonardo Da Vinci.
What is your experience so far with trying to bring your art to the world.

I have always dreamed of selling my art but I never knew how to do so. Or better said, I was always uncertain of the quality of my work. I was too focused on constantly improving my work instead of standing still for a brief moment to see how far I was already. These are the insecurities that can kill dreams. So, right now, the first step for me is to showcase my art. For example, I would never say yes to an interview like this, I don't like to be in the picture or the spotlight. But, this is the first stepping stone to get things done. It works as a huge motivator! So thank you for giving me this opportunity!
How do you organize, plan, and prioritize your work.

As a freelance photographer, I have to plan my agenda 2 weeks ahead. As an artist, I don't. Simply because I don't believe that anyone can be creative on demand. It should come naturally. So when I have a creative outburst, I drop everything that I'm working on and let it flow as it comes.

© 2016 - @beherenow | Spring of Life


Do you have any art supply secrets you would like to share.

The biggest secret is to always do what feels right. Don't copy or steal others ideas. If you would ask me this question 10 years ago, I would tell you that the 50mm f/1.8 would been the best choice of lens to start with as an photographer. Right now, I'm more into printing my work. I'm currently checking out different kind of paper, but I am a huge fan of the Bayonet paper. I will be sharing more secrets on my blog.
Which current art world trends are you following?

Banksy! I've been a big fan of Banksy since the first time I heard of him. I like the anonymity he is carrying. There are a few who know who he is, but he has always been wanted. I'm not the kind of person that follows a lot of artists as I try not to be influenced too much by others.
Which styles of art are you most attracted to?

I don't have a specific style that I am attracted to. There are many art forms that can be executed in a way that no one can deny their attraction. If you follow my work, you will see that I have a variation of styles that I apply onto my artwork. Digital photo manipulations, fine art, and traditional 1:1 prints for example.

© 2014 - @beherenow | Berlin


© 2014 - @beherenow | Berlin


What cultural importance do you think art has?

If we go back in history, art has always been a form of communicating and telling stories. The ancient cave paintings have been something that interested me for a long time and made me wonder about how life was lived at that time. It's quite amazing to feel or see something that has been here long before myself. I also see archeology as a form of art. It can teach us a lot about culture.
What do you think are the qualities that define an artist?

Mentality and personality. It requires a lot of discipline and determination to develop your own style and it can take a lot of time to make a name for yourself. You ought to be a little bit weird and have strong beliefs. You might even be an outcast because you think or see things completely differently tfrom the majority. This requires strength as well. You're not always completely understood. You don't always express yourself in the way you want to but with art you can.

© 2014 - @beherenow | Stockholm, Sweden


What does the Artist Project mean to you, and what are your hopes for it?

I think the Artist Project has a lot of potential, to me it is great that there is a community on Whaleshares that is here to reward and highlight artists all over the world. I share this mindset and vision. Musicians, photographers, (digital)painters, and other creatives are more than welcome here, which is amazing. I hope to see a place where artists can meet other artists. A place where like-minded can share, learn and connect with each other. Being part of this movement is both inspiring and motivating. This activates me to share more and more of my own artwork, which I always have found a hard to do.

Personally, I hope to be able to contribute to communities like @Artist and similar, other than sharing my own Fine Art photography. In the future I see a collaboration once I've made a name for myself on Whaleshares.

I hope to see @artist to flourish in one big community in a rapid speed.

A Word About The Artist Project and Our Patrons Of The Arts

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