Artist Maureen Denny
Maureen Denny is an American artist who found her photography late in life, in her late 50’s to be exact. Denny did not grow up with a camera and described previous work as “awful, uninteresting and most subjects got their heads cut off”. However, at the end of 2019 Denny closed her web business and dove into photography. Apart from taking a few workshops, Denny is self taught and has relied on her natural curiosity for experimentation of her creativity.
“Sunflower Surrealism”
By Maureen Denny (Finalist 2nd Edition)
Photography
The “Sunflower Surrealism” piece was created by using sunflowers from my grocery story propped up and shot in my backyard. The sky came from a random walk as well as the ground.
When speaking about what inspired her into photography, Denny credited her move to not only a new place but to an area that was so vastly different from what she was used to that she struggled to find the beauty in her new environment. For Denny, picking up her camera was a way of inviting a fresh perspective. From there, Denny completed a few workshops and a short course before discovering her love of Photoshop and Photo manipulation, an art form that “is only limited by my imagination”.
“Hope for Sunrise”
By Maureen Denny
Photography
This “white wall” image was using torn paper taped to the wall. The background and sunrise were added as well as the sun rays. It represents hope that better days are coming.
When going on to speak about her current inspiration, Denny said this, “Currently I am inspired to grow and learn and make mistakes. And then find a way to use what I learn to make my art more impactful. The deeper I get into this journey the further I want to take it. As an introvert I am starting to find my voice through my art. I would like to help others to find inspiration to embrace wherever they are in life and make the most of it. Because I started my career in my late 50’s I had to work through feelings of self-doubt, that I am too old to really make a difference. My art, and the people I have met, have given me so much support and encouragement. I want to show others that it is possible to start something new. At any age.”
“Fairy Tale”
By Maureen Denny
Photography
“White wall” self-portrait composited photo using images from mirrorless camera and my smartphone. This was for a creative challenge where the topic was “Fairy Tales”. It is inspired by “Thumbelina” and her escape to a better life.
For instances when inspiration is lacking, there are several things that Denny tries, including going outside to get fresh air or going through old images. Denny went on, saying that she does “…a lot of walking (my dog insists!) and like to listen while I walk. Lately I have also been lucky to find some great pieces of fiction where the writers are so descriptive, and I take inspiration from them as well. However, It is a challenge to try recreating portions of the book into conceptual photography.”
“Isolation – Self Portrait”
By Maureen Denny
Photography
This one, again, is a “white wall” image. Taken in my kitchen and composited into a photo I had made of a nearby state park. The sky was added in separately. This came at the beginning of the pandemic and the “Stay Home” order. It represents the isolation we all felt and the sunflowers and the lighting elude to hope of getting through this.
When asked about the practical side of her work, Denny was more than happy to explain her process in detail, saying, “I use a tripod and a remote to take photos of myself and then mask them out of the scene. The other photos that I used in my work come from various times and places. I am always on the lookout for interesting clouds, empty fields and unique scenes that spark my imagination. Textures are created by patterns in the sidewalk, paint peeling from a wall, sand on the beach, and photos I took using an intentional camera movement technique. I have recently started experimenting with other ways to create textures to overlay onto my work. The possibilities are endless, and it excites me!”
“Isolation – Self Portrait”
By Maureen Denny
Photography
This one, again, is a “white wall” image. Taken in my kitchen and composited into a photo I had made of a nearby state park. The sky was added in separately. This came at the beginning of the pandemic and the “Stay Home” order. It represents the isolation we all felt and the sunflowers and the lighting elude to hope of getting through this.
Lastly, Denny was asked what advice she had for her fellow artists and she had this to say “I am basically self-taught. I have taken a few workshops to learn the basics of how to get my camera off AUTO mode and one that gave me a glimpse into vintage cameras and the darkroom. My advice is to keep experimenting with your art. For me I need to be learning and growing consistently. I look for online groups to join that are supportive and non-judgmental. Take chances, be willing to fail magnificently! It is in our failures that we learn our most important lessons.”
To view more of Maureen Denny’s work