A VINTAGE CHRISTMAS

J.A. SIERRA-HERNANDEZ

//Annie (J.A.) is a visual artist based in Texas. With a degree in Fine Arts/Visual Arts and a Minor in World Literature, Annie prefers to shoot in film and enjoys developing and printing pictures. We have just the series for the season for you today: the whimsical photo-based digital art project “A Vintage Christmas”.

Annie told us about what drives her photography and art:

Art has been a big part of my journey. My art and photography is deeply rooted, a passion that has coursed through my veins since childhood. My mother, a landscape and sunset photographer, was more than a muse; she was the beacon that illuminated my path. Her love for photography has imprinted upon me, an echo of her sentiment, fervently embracing the allure of film. I get an indescribable feeling in a darkroom. Each moment, as an image materializes onto the photo paper, transcends mere technique, encapsulating the very essence of magic. This transformative process, a dance between light, shadow, and chemistry, is where I find the most authentic expression of art.

I also enjoy mixing digital with analog. Here, amidst the grain and texture of film, lies a narrative waiting to be discovered—a testament to the enduring allure of a medium that transcends time itself. Multimedia storytelling is really important to me. I have many times been inspired by textiles, fabrics that are deeply rich in colour, the texture often gives me lots of visual clarity and ideas.

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way… things I had no words for..”

Georgia O´Keeffe

What draws you to the arts?

“The allure of the arts for me has been deeply rooted since childhood. I recall moments of gazing at mundane objects like floor tiles and discerning intricate figures and faces, and even in something as simple as a paper clip, my mind couldn’t resist crafting designs. This innate ability to see beyond the ordinary and immerse myself in a world teeming with imagination has continuously captivated me, drawing me irresistibly towards art. Creating art is my balance, it keeps me grounded.“

What do you like best about this photographic project?

“What I appreciate most about this photographic project and the process is its ability to capture intricate details and convey emotions so vividly. It merges technology with artistry, allowing for endless creativity and storytelling possibilities.”

Annie told us a little more about the process for creating these digital artworks, which turns out to be quite elaborate. It involves photography, digital art, a drawing tablet, digital painting, and an editing app to add detail and texture.

I like the process of layering the past, present, and digitally conjured worlds into intricate tapestries of visual storytelling. My artistic process is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, curated through a series of iterative steps. I usually begin with photographs—both vintage and contemporary—alongside digitally crafted artworks. This eclectic mix serves as the foundation upon which my creations germinate. With my drawing pad, I sketch and refine, crystallizing the focal point and composition that I am looking for. The subsequent phase is a dance of layers: photographs intermingling with drawings, each informing and enriching the other.

I sometimes use digital painting techniques, textured nuances, and transformative applications such as IColorama and Distressed FX. Yet, it is Snapseed that invariably emerges as my app of choice for the final edit. While the art world often gravitates towards categorization, my creations defy such confines. My oeuvre could best be described as ‘eclipsed,’ a fluid mosaic that eludes rigid stylistic constraints. For me, the muse dictates the medium, and stagnation remains anathema. The allure of art lies in its boundless possibilities, and I am resolute in my quest to explore every conceivable avenue. After all, why confine oneself to a single palette.

We hope you enjoy these vintage looks as much as we do. And with this, we wish those of you who celebrate, a Merry Christmas, and those who don´t nevertheless hopefully some peace and joy over the days leading up to the new year.

Click on the photos to see a larger image in original dimensions.