Positive Focus

This artist uses mixed media to make a big statement

How does Brandon’s composition support the theme of his work?

Brandon Miner is always looking for creative ways to tell a story with his camera. “I work a lot with angles, pictures within pictures,” says the 19-year-old. Brandon is a freshman studying photography at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi. He hopes to someday own his own portrait studio.

What inspired this award-winning work?

I wanted to focus on negativity and how it’s important not to let negative vibes get to you. The proverb, “hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil” came into my mind. The idea slowly evolved from there.

 

What was your working process?

First, I took dozens of photos of a friend against a dark black drape. I wanted a clean, dark background since I knew I was going to add mixed-media elements and I wanted them to pop out. Then I selected and printed three of the best photos. I embroidered each image, and then I added the gold leaf. I finished by attaching each of the photos to a black matte board with adhesive.

Are the materials you used significant?

I wanted to create a sense of danger. The thread colors are vibrant and worked well with the model’s clothing. They represent noise, chaos, and bad things. I added gold leaf in an irregular pattern to heighten the sense of danger and chaos.

 

Did you face any challenges?

My biggest challenge was learning how to sew. Thankfully, my teacher taught me a basic stitch called the backstitch and also the running stitch. The stitches were exactly the look and texture I needed to make the statement I was looking for.

 

What did you want viewers to walk away with?

I wanted viewers to think about what they were seeing and how it might apply to their own lives. Look out for yourself, don’t worry about other people’s negativity or opinions. We get too bogged down by other people’s drama.

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists like yourself?

Have fun and play with different media. Don’t be scared to try something new.

Brandon won a Gold Medal for his artwork in the 2018 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

To find out more about this program, visit artandwriting.org

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