ARLENE BYSTER

My artist life has been an exploration of mediums. Watercolors made me crazy until that first brush stroke. Ink was interesting but became tedious. Acrylic paints were too permanent. I really didn't like working with clay.  I loved pastels but it wasn't until I really dove into photography with its unique simplicity and complexity that I found MY medium. It fit my personality.

I was given my first camera at age sixteen, at a time when few people had even a basic camera, I was lucky to own a really nice camera along with many lens. I didn't have many possessions so this camera was really special. I loved working in the darkroom and discovered joy in the image captured. I was highly encouraged to attend art school by all of my art teachers, but simply lacked the courage so I studied accounting in favor of a more pragmatic career. Ironically, I was financially successful enough as a business consultant that I could go back to school. Initially I attended The Art Institute of Chicago then Columbia College of Chicago for their superior labs. 

I have been a private photographer for almost two decades with a focus on family portraiture and proud of the diverse collections I have designed for my clients.  Never being quite satisfied with printing on paper, I started to separate myself from other photographers as I encouraged my clients to allow me to create unique artwork using their portraits and materials such as metal, acrylic and wood. As I continue to innovate, I have plans to incorporate paint, pencil and wax into future projects.

A few years ago I started to create commissioned fine art for my clients. All of my artwork, including my gallery art and my unique antique jewelry creations are all inspired by and created from my photography. My gallery artwork represents my desire to decompose imagery and take it on an artist journey unique to the selected medium. Currently, I am layering nontraditional materials including acrylic and metal to bring the outside inside. Getting outside feeds the soul and my work gives one an opportunity to connect with beautiful aspects of nature with an emphasis on light. Capturing light is essential to my current work.  Light is what inspires me about each location and light is what I seek on each journey with my camera.