Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vicky Stromee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Vicky, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
I was very fortunate to be born into a family with many permissions and few restrictions. My parents were intellectually curious and encouraged me to follow my many interests. From an early age I was immersed in the arts. Our home was a gathering place for artists, dancers, musicians, philosophers and theologians. As a family we traveled both internationally and throughout North America. My parents were socially conscious and intentionally placed us in schools that were racially and socio-economically diverse. I think there is something important about being exposed to different cultures and different ways of life. I came to deeply understand that multiple realities coexist on this planet and that there are many successful ways to live. I have continued to travel throughout my life, I’ve been to all seven continents, and lived on three of them. So much of what I do artistically can be traced back to these early influences. When I was 6, we visited the glass artisans of Venice and I became fascinated with mutable forms of glass. In later life I learned how to blow glass. In addition to being a minister, my father was an amateur photographer. He gave me a Brownie camera at 8 and my love of photography began. My mother was a painter and pianist. One wall of her studio was beveled glass cabinets and I remember letting the refracted light fill my eyes with rainbows. I continue to use prisms and refracted light as the base images for much of my art. I also loved the many stained-glass windows of my father’s churches and learned how to use color (long and short rays) to create a sense of depth on a flat surface.
Most importantly, my parents rewarded my curiosity and that has led me to explore my internal and external worlds.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m an experimental lens-based artist. I’m curious about process and like to fall into worm holes and see where I fall out. I’m curious about what’s possible and where the edges are – I often ask myself “I wonder what would happen if I tried this?” I fell in love with photography at 8 when I got my first brownie camera. There is something magic about watching an image emerge from the development bath. I’m also an early adopter and when digital came along I quickly made the switch. I enjoy working with both traditional imagery and with layering to create more abstract works.
I specialize in exploring both internal and external realms. My work is often a reflection of my dreams and imagination, as well as highlighting the extraordinary beauty that surrounds us.
I’m most proud that my work is an outward reflection of who I am, that I have been successful in navigating life and honoring my artistic nature. I’m delighted that my work is included in diverse collections – from private homes to corporate boardrooms and hospital clinics.
I hope what I am known for is offering a pause and a deeper gaze at what surrounds us, at encouraging others to also reflect on transformation and the nature of change.
What set’s me apart? I have a tremendous amount of curiosity, compassion, determination and a capacity to hold both the painful and the joyful experiences of life. A sense of humor also helps!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I’d just been fired from a job and a romantic relationship had ended. Our house had sold, and on the good side, I’d paid off all my debts. I needed a place to live, but landlords were wary of renting to someone who wasn’t employed. I even offered to pay months in advance, but to little avail. Finally, I found someone who agreed to let me rent one side of a duplex. I didn’t know what I’d do next, so conserving money was everything. I rode my bike everywhere, forewent my favorite coffee shop, stopped eating out and searched through drawers and couch cushions for lost dollars and change. I knew that I needed to connect with others but felt embarrassed about losing my job. I started by reaching out to those I felt closest to and gradually expanded my outreach. This was before the days of LinkedIn and social media, so I’d stop by worksites at lunch hour and just visit with former industry colleagues. I’d often listen to their concerns and offer some useful insights. Over time my circle expanded. and I began to be offered consulting work. This was an important transition to working for myself. I look back now and I’m grateful that the loss of my job led me to find a more satisfying career path. They say that necessity is the mother of invention and, at least for me, that’s been true.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
There are so many rewards, it’s hard to say which one is the most rewarding. I spend everyday doing something I truly enjoy. I get to meet the most interesting and inventive people. The photography community extends around the world and with advent of social media, I’m in ongoing conversations with so many fascinating people. I love when my work touches someone else and I hear back from a collector about what the work means to them. The process of creating is meditative for me. When I’m in that flow, time disappears, concerns are put aside and I can dive deeply into the art. There is something very satisfying about working with an image until it feels resolved and then sharing that with others. Creativity is a way of being in the world – holding perspectives lightly while being open to novelty and the unexpected. I feel rewarded by insights, knowledge, and friendships.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vickystromeephotography.com
- Instagram: @vickystromeephotography.com
- Facebook: vickystromeephotography
- Other: https://www.lensculture.com/vicky-stromee http://www.artphotoindex.com/VickyStromee https://www.cynthiabyrnes.com/artists/
Image Credits
M Barnes (for the picture of me)