Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Weird
Hi Jade, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always sought out art as a way to express myself ever since I was a kid, so it has always been a huge part of my life. In grade school I heavily gravitated to photography & explored all kinds of styles; sports, candids, portraits, art photography, food photography, you name it. As I have gotten older I have become more and more infatuated with 35mm black & white film photography. The first time I was ever introduced to a darkroom I definitely struggled a lot, but the more time I spent in there the more I saw how much magic can be made. It’s quite incredible you know; to walk inside the darkroom with essentially blank pieces of darkroom paper and to walk out with images on them…it’s the closest thing to magic I have ever encountered. Alternative photo processes such as cyanotype print making and lumen print making have also been a growing interest of mine considering these are processed that do not involve a darkroom. Cyanotype printing is extremely versatile as well, for prints can be made on paper, t-shirts, and even pottery!
The further I got into school I was introduced to new mediums, such as clay, where I absolutely fell in love with how versatile and forgiving this medium is. Not only did I learn how to create shapes and vessels with a pottery wheel, but I also learned how to carve and sculpt forms out of huge blocks of clay. I have explored other mediums too, such as limestone, copper wire, and lost-wax bronze casting which all come with their own unique challenges. I find myself wanting to always keep a block of limestone near just in case I feel compelled to hammer and chisel at something!
Currently I am still an undergrad student at the University of Houston Clear Lake and will be graduating with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Spring 2025. I plan to take a couple of years off in order to build my portfolio a little more before applying for graduate schools.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Finances have been my biggest struggle for sure. I pay for my education out of pocket and also have to work a full time job, so unfortunately I am unable to spend as much time in the studios as I would like. I think if I was able to utilized more studio time I would be able to producing more quality work opposed to the few works I have. Often I do have to remind myself that sometimes quality over quantity can be a positive thing and where there is a will there is a way if I want to get in more studio time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My specialties include digital/film photography and sculpture! I would define myself as a freelance artist; I am always seeking events and opportunities to bring my camera long and capture life from a unique perspective. Working with natural light or whatever light is available is a HUGE part of my photographic process, for I limit the use of a flash as much as possible. I believe what sets me apart of a lot of Houston photographers is my knowledge of darkroom printing and alternative photo printing, because like I mentioned earlier it truly is a magic on it’s own! It takes skill and patience to create prints within the darkroom and I think darkroom prints would make a great addition to anybody’s home. Don’t get me wrong I love digital photography too, but there is just something about the darkroom that always draws me in!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Going back to school to study art feels like a risk to me considering how quickly Ai is growing. For myself, I often wonder how long it will take for a majority of companies to ditch their photographers and graphic designers for Ai, but I always remind myself that there will always be a market for people who want to work with people. I think to a degree if a person is taking a risk, make sure it is a well calculated risk!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jadeweirdproductions.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadeweirdphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JadeWeirdProductions
Image Credits
All images shot by Jade Weird
