Social media is an incredible tool. Often it is used as a timekiller and exhibits incredibly negative aspects but it can also help one to discover things. In this case it led me to Dominic and Gretchen, a creative couple who work on sculptures and photography respectively. In my interviews I want to find out what people think about creativity and how it can be used as a positive force and they were nice enough to answer my questions.
- Why don't you give us a little background info on who you are and what creative endeavors you are behind.
Gretchen - My name is Gretchen. I am the creator of NerdyHeart Photography, NerdyHeart Boudoir & NerdyHeart Art. I have no formal art or photography training of any kind. They've been a hobby since I was a small child and now they are my passion.
Dominic - Hello my name is Dominic I was born and raised in New York . I am an FDNY FireFighter and an amateur sculptor (Nightmare Antiquity). As for my creative endeavors I work in clay and for the most part like to create monsters and humans.
- Gretchen, How did you get into photography? What led you to start taking photos?
G - My first memory of taking photos was for a school project in second grade. We were each given a disposable camera and we're told to document where we lived and write about the photos. I've almost always had a camera in hand since then.
- Ok then, Dominic how did you get into sculpting? Were you involved in anything before this that led you to sculpting?
D - I’ve only been sculpting for about 2 years. I am self taught and did not attend an art school. Gretchen, my fiancé and I collect toys and I’m a big fan of movies with “practical effects,“ so I’ve always appreciated three dimensional art. I started gaining interest in clay after going to the Jersey Fest toy convention. There I met many local artists and sculptors that made toys and sculpture by traditional methods . The people I met at Jersey Fest moved me in the right direction to try my hand at sculpting. They gave me a few items and some advice. After I sculpted a Cthulhu head I was hooked. There was so much freedom to the clay and I wasn’t limited by a pen and paper. Gretchen has also been my main supporter, I started sculpting and she just continuously encourages it.
- Gretchen, for your photos, do you focus on any particular subject and Dominic, what would you say is your main focus or subject for your sculptures?
G - People. People are fascinating. Everyone is unique in a multitude of ways. So every new subject is an adventure.
D - My main focus was originally to bring whatever monsters that were hanging out in my brain to life by sculpting them in clay. After practicing and learning from some of my favorite sculptors such as Brian Booth Craig and Jordu Schell, I’ve switched my focus to learning anatomy, proportions, composition, and gesture. I'm trying to learn as much about human anatomy as I can to help bring my work to life, so to speak. In the future I would like to use my knowledge of anatomy and movement to create more believable and striking creatures.
- How do you approach or think about taking a photo?
G - It really depends on the subject of the photos. I try and identify the mood/feeling I get from the subject, scene, lighting and try to capture it in such a way others can feel it too.
- How do you come up with your sculpture designs?
D - Unfortunately I have a hard time drawing. Most of the time I come up with a rough concept in my head. After that I write it down in words and normally chat with Gretchen about what I came up with and we kind of go back and forth. Then I see where the clay takes me. Recently I’ve been trying to plan my sculptures more efficiently and I’m trying to give drawing a chance.
- What would you say your creative process is?
G - I have a few mental health issues that I refer to as sick sad brain. When an idea comes through the static I try and start the ball rolling almost immediately. Even if it's just researching references and materials. I'm either ordering pieces or crafting within a 24 hour period to keep the drive going.
D - My creative thoughts throughout the day are normally inspired by things I’ve seen or read. I listen to horror audio books quite a lot, watch movies and cartoons and play video games. I believe most of my work is subconsciously a mashup of all the things that make me tick. I find something new I like and then see what inspired it by digging around in the past quite a bit. For example, I picked up a video game called “Bloodborne” that I fell in love with. It turns out that game was heavily inspired by H.P Lovecraft and a Manga I loved called “Berserk,'' so I read everything Lovecraft made and reread “Berserk.” All of these things help open up new paths for creativity.
- Do you think this process or working within this art medium has shifted your view of the world? Has it helped you adapt and deal with the world?
D - I find myself observing people more often. I think I creep out Gretchen a lot. I’m always looking at her and trying to see what her face looks like at different angles. I’ve come to appreciate the human form and just how beautiful, complicated and diverse it is. As for adapting to the world, instead of going out to the bar on Saturday night I’m inside sculpting tiny monsters.
- Do you think having the eye of a photographer lets you view the world differently? Why? How?
G - Absolutely. Your attention to detail helps you spot hidden gems others usually glance right over. You can find beauty in the simplest of things like shadows and curves.
- Would you say it causes you to interact or to see people or places differently?
G - Yes. I would say photography has freed me to a degree. It made me a bolder, more outgoing person. Sometimes you see someone you just can't take your eyes off of. So you muster the courage to ask them if you can snap a shot of them. Or you start to lose your inhibitions so you can climb on something in a crowded public place to get "THAT SHOT."
- How do you think creativity can help the world today?
G - I wholeheartedly believe in art therapy. So being creative has literally saved my life. I have quite a few friends that would say the same. Especially now. We are so limited on where we can go and what we can do. It's like being a child again. You've got to be creative and use your imagination to survive. Make your own magic.
D - I think that all knowledge is ultimately self knowledge. I feel there is no greater self knowledge then expressing yourself through your art, in whatever form that may take. I know picking up clay has made me appreciate just how hard artists work and that everything in this world is art to some degree.
- Does having a creative partner help you with ideas and creating new material?
G - Absolutely. When I get stuck on how to achieve a concept they are there to help brainstorm and challenge your ideas. It doesn't hurt that Dom is a sculptor and helps make some props.
D - I can’t even begin to describe how much of an influence this woman has been on me. Her passion for her art is admirable. Seeing her ability to beautifully capture the human form in a photograph the way that she does is amazing. I sometimes feel like I just started sculpting to keep up with her. She is also big on D.I.Y and upcycling/recycling old things. As you of course know, that takes so much creativity and drive, it really helps inspire me to be the “artist“ I am today. I’m still not comfortable being called an artist. We certainly bounce ideas off each other often, it really helps with the creative process when you know you’re partner will be honest with you.
- Does being from Staten Island influence you in any way?
G - I think being from Staten Island has influenced me in one major way and that's through escape. We live on such a small island. Everyone knows everyone else. Things don't change very often. I feel that really limits me. Repetition is mundane and stifling. So Staten island has influenced me the most by giving me an extreme case of wanderlust and the mentality to never settle. So I travel as often as I can't.
D - Being from New York in general is influential. We are all passively influenced in one way or another by the exposure to other cultures and points of view.
- Why do you think Staten Island has the reputation it has?
G - I'm actually not sure what Staten Island's current "reputation" is. I am very out of the loop since I work a full-time job on top of my photography and art.
D - Like any other highly populated city or town Staten Island has developed a personality. That town's personality changes through each generation. Whether our reputation is bad or good is completely subjective.
- Do you think that the Island is changing at all or is it set in its ways?
G -It's definitely changing and not for the better.
D - I feel like I’ve seen a rather large shift in creativity on this island during the lockdown as more people have been crafting and hand making items. I’m also seeing a lot of support for small businesses.
- Any last words or final thoughts?
G - Never settle. Live life on your terms.
D - Be patient when learning a new art form. You’re not failing, you're gaining experience. Talk to more experienced people in that field and don’t be embarrassed to ask questions. Do not compare your work to others. Learn to love your work. Do not work stressed. Work on your art once a day even if it’s for a few minutes. Write things down! Challenge yourself! Your art is what you make it, remember art is subjective don’t let the opinion of one person put you down. Do not let people take advantage of your talent.
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