Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Derrick Whaley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Derrick, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
The first time I knew I wanted to pursue photography was when I took a 2 photography courses in college. When I took the second course called Digital photography, that’s where I learned how to do series/projects and I also brought my first camera as well because I had to have a camera to do assignments. That class really open my eyes up and make photography more seriously than I did before because back in high school I learned a little bit of it but didn’t take it seriously.
Derrick, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
How I got into the art industry is like I mentioned before, I took a digital photography class that opened my eyes to photography then from there bit by bit I started posting my own photos on my Instagram page. I didn’t have much photos to post at the time because I didn’t have much work and wasn’t much confident as I am now. What sets me apart from others is that I march to the beat of my drum, and I incorporate important messages in my artworks that I create. One of the things I’m most proud of was me being selected in a magazine called All About Photo” which I Been applying to get in a couple of times but the life changing moment was when I was accepted into their magazine and I didn’t give up/ I kept going and going. What I want people to know about me and my brand itself is overall I’m an living testimony of not giving up on my myself and finding your way in this complicated world we live in, and I show that in my artworks.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is creating and making my art. Just recently I told myself and my barber that ” art is therapy for me” I get to say things that I don’t sometimes say to people and I let all of my emotions out in my artworks, and it’s really self-therapy for me. Also, my artworks can inspire other people when they see their experiences and situations as well.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think society can be more diverse and accepting different types of artists by including as much artists in shows and exhibitions and not being so selective of who they choose from the jurors point of view. Also so exhibitions be charging artist crazy entry fees sometimes and that needs to be affordable for some who do have it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ivisionphotos
- Other: https://hmvcgallery.com/artists/987511191:Derrick-Whaley
https://www.all-about-photo.com/photographers/photographer/1759/derrick-whaley
https://www.artsy.net/artist/derrick-whaley
Image Credits
N/A