Nicole Abbett

Listed bellow are a list of artists who specialize in diptychs, triptychs, and grids. I was provided with them in class for influence and ideas for the current project I am working on. Looking at the work of these artists helped me formulate the ideas for my current project and have also inspired me for future projects. For this project I decided to document people, through the use of triptychs, focusing on one specific detail others may not know about them at first glance. Some of the influences I found for this project came from the artists listed below and some from artist Gillian Wearing. In Wearing’s In the Making series she had her subjects ‘communicate’ through a written statement on a piece of paper and then documented them through photographs. A lot of her work involves discovering honest or unknown details of people. We often judge people at first glance without knowing anything about them. If they are presented in another way maybe we wouldn’t be so quick to judge…

I just wanted to share a couple photographers who interest me. The first one is Gregory Crewdson. He is best known for his elaborately staged photographs.

The second photographer is Alec Soth. The first two images are of found notes. I often find things and bring them home to my hubby, referring to them as ‘thoughts for the day.’ A friend of mine got me hooked on doing this and some of the things I have found lying on the ground have been quite interesting. Alec Soth projects his images how you wouldn’t expect to see them. Check him out at http://www.alecsoth.com/.

It’s been quite some time since I have posted anything here on my blog and I’m baaaaaaaack!
I initially created it for one of my classes and had every intention of continuing to post, but for some reason that didn’t happen…

So here’s to second chances!
Here’s to sticking with it this time!

Well…ya…maybe…but I do promise to try my hardest!!

I started my new semester at USF this past Monday and the upcoming posts will be devoted to my photographic processes that I will be working on this semester.

I will share my creative processes, struggles, inspirations, ideas for upcoming works, and of course, my photographs.

peace and love.

Our first customers…

Our most difficult customer…

(just kidding!)

Not sure what she got herself into…

Dr. Fournier…

Hmmm….

Thomas Kinkade paint-by-numbers placemat…

Nikita…

Here are the class’ finished canvas’ put together!

And here is a close-up of mine!

3. Artist Statement :

Over the past 13 years I have been documenting lives, refining my skills as a creative artist, and working in the commercial photo industry. I am a freelance photographer and I love what I do. In my personal time I like to paint. It is something I discovered in college and always make time for it. I do it for fun and it helps me relax and unwind. I still live in Florida, but I also have a place in Boston. There are times when I feel like I have had no sleep, but my career has been very rewarding. I have worked for many prestigious clients such as Apple, BCG, Whole Foods, S.C. Johnson, Coca-Cola, Disney, and Johnson & Johnson. I have many personal clients in the commercial industry and as portrait clients as well. I also have many pieces of my personal work in galleries all over the world.

After I graduated college, I jumped right into the work force. By then I knew I loved shooting portraits and wanted to also shoot commercially. Be narrowing down what I enjoy about photography the most helped me to become the person I am today.

Currently I juggle being a wife, a mother, and a photographer. The main project I am working on is for a series in my new book. Twenty years ago I documented many different places and things all over the country. I am currently in the process of revisiting the places and re-capturing them. Most of the places have changed dramatically, a few not at all. It is easier to get to them with my new flying car that just came out. It has allowed me to be able to capture different angles and has been great for aerial shots!

1. Letter to Young Artists :

Calling all aspiring artists!

My career as an artist has taken a lot of training, hard work, and dedication. It didn’t happen overnight. My interest in photography began in high school where I was fortunate enough to take a couple of classes. I went on to college to study art more in depth. I also got a degree in business prior to completing my BFA in photography. Education is key. I have also taught myself just as many things if not more than what I learned throughout school.

My big break came when I started shooting for Coca-Cola. When future clients saw that I had worked for them and the work I did for them, it opened up a lot of other doors. Remember, this opportunity was preceded by hundreds of no thank yous.

One of the hardest things I have faced is selling my work. Not only do you have to create the art and then try to put a price on it, but you have to sell it also if you want to make money. This road is bumpier than the road you have to go down to create your masterpiece. Talk to as many people as you can. Carry a portfolio with you at all times. Market yourself.

There are times when you will be discouraged or someone will say that they absolutely don’t like your work, but don’t give up. Follow your heart and your dreams. Continue to educate yourself, be true to yourself, and don’t be judgmental, talk to everyone in your path. These are things I was told early on in my career. Everything will fall into place if you work hard. Most importantly, Don’t ever give up!

Nicole

Our class was assigned to make their own 12×12 canvas.

I just wanted to post some photos I took last week in Honor of Veteran’s Day!

Each flag in this field represents a fallen soldier in Iraq.
Taking a piece of the wall home.

A good friend of my Father. They share the same first and middle names.

Many people thought this was him…

Saying hello to an old friend.

Group 4’s overall concept for our ‘restaurant’ and menu is from a scientific approach. We saw a scientific theme overall in the artists we had chosen to share with the class last week. (My artist is Gillian Wearing and you can take a look at some of her work below). The layout of our ‘restaurant’ will look as if you just walked into a science lab. Two of the walls will include a mock-up of cabinets, counter space, and essentials to a lab such as beakers, sinks, and goggles. And there will be two tables in the center for dining. Please be aware of our sterile environment.

The way we are each displaying our artist’s work will be magnifying!

Our menu will excite you. The choices will be a sight to see. Make a reservation to get your ‘taste’ of it!