Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesley Nowlin Blessing.
Hi Lesley Nowlin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I had a great childhood. I was born and raised in Austin, my parents were wonderful and gave me so many opportunities. Photography has been a passion of mine since I was young. I was in 7th or 8th grade when my dad taught me on the back porch how to use a Leica. Capturing a moment in time through this little box was fascinating. I learned how to develop film and print silver gelatin in a tiny closet at my high school for the yearbook and newspaper. Afterwards, I got my BFA in Photography from Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford. It was required to learn all mediums and photography was still my strongest subject, although, I really enjoyed learning most areas of art. I mainly photographed people from my life, and then gradually I started shooting outside of that. Places like Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba were extremely eye opening. I also photographed a few sets of twins to dive deeper into my own personal relationship with my twin. In around 2009, I was offered a space to represent my own gallery showing photographers’ work from around the world. That experience was brief yet educational. It taught me that I wanted to be the one making art. So, for the last fourteen years that’s what I’ve been doing. I can’t believe how fast time goes by.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well, I don’t think life is easy. I’ve had a lot of loss in the last six years. I literally just got back from a funeral today. I guess the struggle along the way has been losing people I love. The good though is that I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful kids who push me and make me laugh every day. I’m extremely grateful to have my friends, family, our five cats, fish and chickens!
In my career I’m grateful for all the help I’ve received. I photographed weddings, non-profits, family portraits, headshots, other events and personal projects. I’ve met a lot of nice people and enjoyed working for the many non-profits here in Austin. It has kept me humble to see people work hard just to have a stable life. So, in that sense, everything has been very good for me. I come from a fortunate family, and I recognize that every day.
I’ve changed my work throughout the last 30 years, and having the guts to really go for it and not care what other people think has been personally challenging. I finally feel, though, like I’m in the place I’m supposed to be. I’m happy where I am.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve loved photography as long as I can remember. I gravitated towards street photography with a bit of documentary and always black and white. I’m skilled in alternative processes, primarily silver gelatin and platinum/palladium, and I enjoy printing on different types of paper. Portraits was my main thing but recently I’ve shifted to landscapes or nature-scapes. I guess you could say photographing people for so long drained me a bit. I’m an empathetic person and it got difficult to look at humanity so closely. I turned inward after my father passed away and began photographing our family land that he gave us.
Recently, I’d consider myself a photographic artist. The body of work I’m currently working on is titled, Altered State. The materials I use are giclee on kozo paper and I enhance the print with illustrations and gilding to create a one of kind piece. The subject is about grief and the loss of a loved one. Each work signifies a stage or thought I’ve experienced as a person. My hope is that each piece of art may bring the viewer to a feeling or place in their personal history when they lost someone special and maybe connecting to that past will bring some relief, the way it has for me.
An exhibition of my work will be up at Zach Theatre, Topfer from August 12-September 21. There’s an opening on Thursday, August 14, 6-7:30pm. Available to view on other days during box office hours. Wizard of Oz will be on stage. The performances there are phenomenal, you won’t be disappointed.
What were you like growing up?
My personality was bubbly, giggly, intense, passionate and very competitive. I played soccer for the Austin Capital Soccer Club. Stopped playing after college through injury and I still watch soccer frequently. I competed in piano until I went to college and came back to learn it until my late 30s, with the same teacher! She was the best. Everyone in my family has always been interested in film, especially my twin sister. I’d say film is what really got me into photography. My family is also really invested in the performing arts, more specifically Zach Theatre, so I couldn’t be happier to show my work there.
Thanks for asking me to write about myself. Hope to see some folks at the exhibit.
Pricing:
- $750
- $3,500
- $10,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lesleynowlinblessing.com
- Instagram: @lesleynowlinblessing_art
