Today we’d like to introduce you to Brett Laxton.
Brett, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am a photographer, videographer, storyteller and story listener. I grew up just on the other side of the river from St. Louis surrounded by cornfields. I have a rare genetic disease called neurofibromatosis type 2. Since 2008 I have been slowly going deaf. Within my family my grandmother had this disease, my father has it, my uncle, my brother and myself. My father is profoundly deaf. I have very little hearing left, so I read a lot of lips. As with all tough things that we face these trials can either drain us or we can allow our story to be used to fill others up. Allow others to see hope. I have been receiving chemo treatments for the past three years on and off as part of trial treatment. There is no known cure for NF2. I receive my treatments at MD Anderson. Spend a day in the waiting room, and you will see some people that really have it tough. Being at Anderson has given me the opportunity to meet so many people and ask about their story. Its one of my favorite things, being intentional with the time we have not to be heard but to hear. It’s ironic I guess.
Little known fact about me, I wrote a book. It started as therapy for anxiety and ended up a goal I set. I wrote down every story I could remember from growing up and the lessons I learned from them. The book is entitled Everything Else- Lessons Learned from Cornfields, Christmas Ninjas and My Brother Saving Me From The Town Bully.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/brett-laxton/everything-else/paperback/product-21978258.html
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a photographer and video producer. I want to tell stories. If I am shooting a wedding, one thing I tell every soon to be bride and groom is that as the day goes on and unfolds, that is what I am going to shoot. I am going to shoot the story as it unfolds, some of those shots you can plan, many you can not.
I want people to get to know a story, and I believe the best way to tell a story is to get to know the people behind the story. One of my goals with every wedding that I shoot is from first meeting to delivery of photos to the couple that we have moved from strangers to friends. Getting to know their hearts, their hopes, what makes them laugh, what makes them hurt, that’s how you can tell a real story.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I believe the role of artists has changed. Technology and the opportunity to share our work on a wider scope has changed everything. I believe that artist sharing stories from across our world, some of them inspiring and encouraging, others heartbreak and evil… but sharing these stories has helped validate artist. Technology has made our world smaller, and artist has been on the forefront.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
www.laxtoncreative.com, Instagram, and Facebook under the same name. You can support my work by sharing an encouraging word, message me or better yet let me tell your story.
Contact Info:
- Address: 30022 Willow Brook Lane
Brookshire, TX . 77423 - Website: www.laxtoncreative.com
- Phone: 17623335281
- Email: brettlaxton@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laxton_creative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laxtoncreative/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user2443223
Image Credit:
Brett Laxton at Laxton Creative
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