Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Presenting Artist Darryll Schiff's Stunning Fine Art Photography


The above Photograph is part of Darryll's Schiff's Descending to Heaven Series: The Parade Commences

It was only a few years ago that Darryll left the life of commercial and celebrity assignments on the west coast and chose the field of fine art photography. Now residing in his hometown of Chicago, his art is in the permanent collections  of such renowned institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, The George Eastman House, The Norton Simon Museum Pasadena, and The Museum of Contemporary Photography, as well as in many private collections. 

As you can see from these selections, his art draws you in and does not want to let you go. You seek more, looking at the action, the blaze of colors, questioning yourself  as well as the art itself. How is it that such fine movement and intriguing sound can emanate from these works of art...they do!

Please enjoy my conversation with Darryll below.

Chicago Loop 4

Where do you find the inspiration for your works of art?

Many things inspire me and thus I am fortunate that I never seem to be at a loss for ideas.  However, there are themes that seem to recur in my artwork, reflections of modern life, especially in these fast paced times and how this affects peoples’ interactions, our “dance” through life, and perceptions versus reality; something a camera is particularly suited to capture.



Chicago's Magnificent Mile

How did you make the decision to work in large-scale format?

I do also make prints that are more of a “normal” size, but working large is a combination of what I feel is necessary for my pictures to effectively communicate my ideas, as well as what has become almost the norm for true fine art photography  that competes with other art forms, such as painting, fine art video, and sculpture. Going hand in hand with this is having small, limited editions of each work.  Depending on the piece, I will only  produce 3-12 prints, no more.



Evanescence

Tell us a bit about the process that brings your fine art photography to life. The movement in them is so intriguing.

This movement you see gets back to how I want to reflect the times we live in.  But as far as my process goes, it is something that has evolved. I would say necessarily evolved, as I have grown as an artist.  I started going to art classes when I was 10 years old, at the Art Institute of Chicago, and my mother and one of my sisters are accomplished artists, so from early on I have had an amazing background in fine art.
            
Almost from the start of my photography education and career, I approached the camera as a tool, as more of a paintbrush, rather than being so concerned about things such as having the newest gear, the absolute sharpest lenses, etc.  While to a certain degree that might be important, those are just technical things, rather than technique and vision, which are important components of art.


Dia del Suenos

Who are the other artists with whom you have found insight or encouragement from- either from them or their works? 

For artists, I have to start with Arthur Siegel, who was head of the Photography  program when I was at college at the Institute of Design, at the Illinois Institute of  Technology. (I note the Institute of Design was started as the New Bauhaus by Maholy Nagy, from the original Bauhaus in Germany).  

Arthur was a very serious, a bit cantankerous, and a no-nonsense, fantastic educator.  Many students were somewhat put off by his personality, but there was a great rapport between us. He taught me, among other things, that I must strive for perfection, both technically and artistically.  My mother and sister also showed me the dedication an artist needs.

There are so many other artists whose work influence me... but I will name a few: Frederick Sommer, Alfred Steiglitz, Cartier Bresson; classical artists like Rubens, Goya, Titian; and modern artists from Picasso to De Kooning to Pollock.


Red V


Do you have any upcoming shows scheduled and where can our readers view your fine art photography?  

We are trying to be very selective about the shows my work appear in.  After a very successful Photo L.A. earlier this year I decided I needed a “team” to work with me to help and take over a lot of these types of things.  The most important way for me to use my time is to be working on my art.   I added a new assistant and am also working with Paula Winke, a marketing and public relations consultant. I am fortunate to be working with great people.  

I sell a a great deal of my art to private collectors. I also consult with interior designers and architects to source my fine art photography on luxury residential and commercial projects. Beyond that we are reaching out to corporate art consultants and international galleries  to explore exhibitions for the future.

The best way to see art is to see it in person.  My work is, among other places, in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of  Art New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Norton Simon Museum, The Pasadena, and George Eastman House in Rochester N.Y.  If you or your readers get to Chicago, please email me. I schedule regular studio visits, by appointment.






Darryll Schiff


Finally, Darryll,  What words of wisdom do you have for the aspiring artist of any age?

To be successful at something, regardless of how much talent you have, it takes a lot of hard work and reaching very high levels of technical skill before you can really use that in your own special way.  Do not underestimate the value of knowing art (and photography) history.  

Picasso was a wonderful example of this.  If you  see his early works you will understand how great a technician he was and how skilled of an artist he was.  He would not have able to achieve what he did with Cubism without that.

Thank you so much Darryll for your insightful thoughts  for our readers to enjoy.

Be sure to watch this incredibly exciting Video in praise of Darryll's work on his site. 

Darryll's website of his fine art can be found at Darryll Schiff Fine Art http://www.schiff-art.com/. It really captured my attention and will yours!

Read Darryll's fascinating  Blog, DEFINEART  to hear and see his latest works and ventures.


Much thanks goes to Paula Winke, marketing and public relations consultant, who made the introduction.  Paula is  based  in Kansas City; however her work with clients takes her throughout North America and abroad.


Thank you to my Friends and Followers who support the Arts!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena 

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21 comments:

cindy hattersley design said...

Love these! I am forwarding to my sister who lives in Chicago!

The enchanted home said...

Hi Karena! Wow these are so interesting....he nailed it when he said he wants to capture the times we live in...boy does he ever!

Fascinating..you always introduce us to so many amazingly talented people!! Hope you are well.

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

You said it right...stunning!...Found myself studying each photo...Darryll Schiff is truly an amazing talent..

nccmrm97 said...

I only see chaos. I'm wondering if he has a chaotic energy within.

dvd interior design said...

Thank you for sharing this Artist with us. I am sending to my friend to review...

MJH DesignArts said...

Hi Karena, This is amazing work. Thanks for opening my eyes. xoxo
Mary

Stacy CUrran said...

Some of those look like pictures I take by accident, but way cooler. It's amazing how you can tell these are intentional and capture a frenzied feeling. Love!
Stacy

Karena said...

The time and effort it takes to actually bring to images to life is unbelievable!!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Very interesting and different...thanks for sharing!

I Dream Of said...

As always, you post the most interesting interviews. Love to see how his point of view plays out in these extraordinary photos.

Happy Weekend! XOXO

Lisa Mende Design said...

this is awesome!!

Jennifer said...

Something so seemingly simple that takes an amazing amount of time to create! These are different than anything I've ever seen. Thanks for showing us.
Enjoy your weekend. Hope you are healing well. xo

Splendid Market said...

So alive, amazing how he captures action. Poetry in motion.

Decor To Adore said...

What an eye he has! I love the slowly captured images.

You are on my heart and I do hope you will make a complete and speedy recovery.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Unknown said...

This is very cool Karena! I love how different it is. Thanks for introducing him to us! xo Nancy

Kristen @ Pursuing Vintage said...

Amazing work! And, being from Chicago myself, I particularly enjoy the pieces reflecting the Windy City!

designchic said...

These are amazing Karena! I always love your introduction to new artists. Hope you are doing well!

debra @ 5th and state said...

such depth and wide scope of interest, and he is here in chicago, i am due to an art institute visit.
i do believe that bag woman could be me!
debra

Leslie Sinclair said...

Darryll Schiff is an incredible talent! I found myself scrolling through the images again and again to take it all in. Dia del Suenos is especially mesmerizing! Thanks for sharing!!
xo. Leslie

French Basketeer.com said...

What a fascinating series of photos and incredible talent! Loved his comments re Picasso and understanding technique and history....so very, very true! Hope you are getting some rest and mailing your package today! xxooA

Gert7to3 said...

Just ran across this blog.

Sadly, I have to report that Darryl Schiff passed away on December 2, 2020, due to complications from cancer. He kept it quiet, only his close family knew how he was doing. He was a friend and colleague ever since we were classmates at the Institute of Design in the early 1970's.

John Gerty
ID 1973

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