Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachelle Mendez.
Rachelle grew up in Northern California on acres of open land in a small rural community outside of Sacramento. After moving to Southern California to obtain a bachelor degree in Advertising/ Graphic Design she started exploring the idea of photographing the expansive rural landscape in a more graphic and concise way. This aesthetic lead to her first on going photo series; The Rural.
Slowly evolving from the expansive landscapes to the highly congested landscapes of Los Angeles and Orange County’s suburbs, Rachelle created her most passionate and inclusive series; Minimal and Contemporary Landscape photographs of California.
Please tell us about your art.
My photography is a graphic look at the urbanization of the California landscape. There are a multitude of visual layers and textures of man-altered landscapes also know in as new topographic photography. This series is my attempt to push something into nothing and still be whole.
As you can imagine, these vertical obstructions take up all of our surrounding information; the sky, fields and mountain ranges. In the highly congested areas of Southern California our consolation prize is a 90-degree graphic, so far removed from the natural world, yet offering an opportunity to forget what we are missing and still be satisfied.”
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I cannot speak to all genres of art, but photographers have the opportunity to attend photography portfolio reviews. Last October I attended Review Santa Fe, this is a premier opportunity to meet with very high caliber photographers and industry professionals. Photographers show their work, get feedback and make connections with fellow photographers from all over the world.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Minimal Hardscapes of Southern California is currently on view at the Brea Gallery in Brea, California.
The show is running April 21-June 15, 2018.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.photoinspo.com
- Instagram: Rachelle.Mendez
Image Credit:
Rachelle Mendez
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