Self-Portrait, by Virginia Harold. Courtesy of the artist.
Of course, it just seems as if Virginia Harold popped up from out of nowhere, suddenly on the scene at every opening, concert, art happening and cool kids’ party. Able to day-job as a photographer—a role in which she photodocuments newborns—she’s also seldom without a camera during off-hours, creating a unique and quickly growing body of work in a relatively short period of time.
Lately, her personal work’s covered the still-growing burlesque scene in St. Louis; those photos can be spied at her expansive online portfolio. And she’s also been shooting more shows for KDHX 88.1 FM, visible at the community radio station’s site, here. Our initial introduction to her work came via her contribution of several images that accompanied a Look/Listen feature on Ert Night, which she kindly donated to a recent article, found on our own site.
As part of our continuing series of every-other-week conversations with visual artists, here’re the same seven questions, asked of Virginia Harold.
Art school? Self-taught? Some variety of both? Or none of the above?
I consider myself a solid mixture of self-teaching and some schooling. I discovered my love for photography in the first place at St. Charles Community College, but it was propelled by my own curiosities, self-critiques and desire to be better each time. Schooling was beneficial in the sense that I learned technical skills and met fantastic people. My mind never stops thinking about how I could frame a moment or concepts I could create.
Regarding your creative habits, are you a night owl or an early bird?
I prefer the silence and stillness of the night, void of distractions, but most of society operates on early bird time, so I live in both worlds and sleep when it’s convenient. I have a personal theory that I am most creative in the middle of the night, because that is when I should be dreaming.
In basic terms, can you describe the setup and vibe of your studio?
I call my studio “The Jungle Studio,” because it is shrouded with bits of the world that I’ve gathered as memoirs, whether it be rocks, branches, pinecones, flowers or art from other artists that I admire. My front room is where the magic happens, as I’ve made it into a natural light or artificial light studio and can do anything from a solid headshot to a whimsical conceptual image.
What are your thoughts on crowdfunding for the arts? And is that option any part of your own approach to creating and selling work?
I am all for crowdfunding in general. It gives the community and the people a direct chance to support exactly what they believe in, minus the middle men. As of now, I have never done a crowdfunding campaign, but would consider it once I have enough material to put together the show and/or the book.
Do you have a dream project that lacks only funding (or time)?
My dream project is in the works and requires years. The time is already there, and hopefully the funds will be too, someday. I have already started, but did not know it was a “project,” when I started, because it is just what I do naturally. I make environmental portraits and candid portraits of the beautiful people of St. Louis in all of their creative and expressive glory. These are more than photographs; They are pictures personified. I would like to have a solo show with large prints and a coffee table book made and I would call it “Love, St. Louis.”
To what degree do you enjoy having public contact, whether that means selling your work at a fair, a gallery opening, etc.?
My public contact is less of fairs and shows at this point and more of just being around people, absorbing, learning and collaborating. I don’t normally display my work in galleries, but am slowly easing into the process. I actually have a few pieces in an upcoming show themed “Air,” at SOHA, March 14th.
What other St. Louis artists inspire or motivate you?
There are so many! My biggest inspiration would have to be Jarred Gastreich’s photography. He sees the beautiful, the bad, the ugly and not just the perfect. He’s also opened my eyes to the wonderful world of iPhoneography/Instagram. St. Louis is also home to Monday night Ert Night, where artists can congregate and create with their craft, whether it be music, painting, jewelry making, knitting, sculpting, etc. Having an environment like this to retreat to has been extremely motivating and comforting. I am also inspired by live music, the kind you can feel vibrate throughout the body, and St. Louis has plenty of this to offer.
Curated by Mark Regester, “AIR” will feature eight photographers displaying photography and video inspired by, yes, air. Included in their ranks: Regester, Harold, Gastreich, Tom Lampe, Jess Withington Dewes, Bill Streeter, Amy Buxton, and Andy Holman. The opening will be held on Friday, March 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at SOHA Gallery, 4915 Macklind, 314-497-5202, sohastudioandgallery.com. The Facebook invitation can be found here.
