ALBC is blessed to be counted among the growing number of people who are familiar with the work of Nastassia Davis, this weeks' featured Agent of Change. Get to know the woman and her visual masterpieces for yourself, here's a sampling: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarika/If you were to describe your craft to a room full of people who knew nothing about you, what would you tell them?
I take all of my own photos in the privacy of my own home. It’s all about making magical images from my life or my imagination but using composition and Photoshop to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Self-portraiture allows complete control over every element of the shot, enabling a different character to be created in every image. Although in some images, I don’t see myself at all. Sometimes, I disappear.
What starts a Nastassia portrait? All I need is a spark of inspiration: a song, a garment, crimps in my hair after I’ve unraveled the braids; I might spy myself in a mirror across the room and feel the sudden urge to capture it on camera. It’s the fascination of sometimes becoming something entirely different from which I am really in reality.
Why did you decide upon this medium as your form of expression?
I’ve always loved photography. When I was 14, my father gave me his old rolleiflex camera and taught me how to use it. Everywhere I went, that camera went with me too. In college, I took up a digital photography course where I learned the basic essentials of editing in Photoshop. This camera and digital processing quickly took over film because of the instant gratification I received.
It’s easiest to use myself as the model in most cases, because not always is someone else available.
What is Change and are people ready for it to affect them directly?
Change is having a fearless spirit. Change is sacrifice. Change is commitment. We have the power to turn our lives and communities around for the better if we just stay focused and remain fearless. As a whole, this nation is clearly ready for change. Whether people realize it or not, it’s happening right before our eyes. They’ve spoken by just electing the first African-American President of the United States of America! If that doesn’t scream change on a monumental scale, then I don’t know what does.
What has been the best response to your brand of Change so far?
Having my portrait “Rosa (Parks) -Yes, We Can!” printed in a leading U.K newspaper, the Guardian. Also, it’s published in a book entitled “A Message for Obama” which is available for purchase now:
The proceeds will go to a charity to help get clean water to the civilians of Uganda. I am very proud of this achievement and it only pushes me to create and come up with more lovely portraits!
What is the title of the book about your life?
It’s still being written! I’m far from where I want to be with my craft. Give me about a year, at least. I should have something enticing to call it by then. =)
Where can people interested in you find your work find you and how can they support you?
My best work has yet to come. However, what I have thus far can be found on my flickr gallery under “Personal Works.” www.flickr.com/aarika. I’m working on a slew of new portraits and also collaborating with other artists in the future as well. Those interested in supporting me can sign up to flickr now (it’s free!) and check back often for new material. Most importantly, I encourage you to leave messages and comments under the photos you like. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.
Why does everybody need A Lil Bit of Change?
Us young freedom fighters need somewhere to call home, don’t we?
