Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kurt Weston . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kurt Weston , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
As a sensitive and artistic young boy in grade school I was bullied. I went through years of harassment and being beat-up daily. My mother had been a refugee from World War II. She and her family had escaped first from the Nazi’s and then the Russians. They had to flee their native Lithuania and experienced the gruesome horrors of war as they fled. Eventually, my mother and her family took refuge in America. But because they were refugees from the war they experienced prejudice from some Americans who called them “DP’s”- displaced persons and they became the victims of harassment and prejudice. I would listen to my mothers stories of how her and her family escaped starvation and death and then become the victims of hatred in the United States. I thought if my mother could endure such a painful childhood I could endure being bullied and friendless – from 5th grade to high school to be exact.
During these years I learned to be my own best friend. I loved photography and started photographing with a twin lens reflex camera my uncle gave to me. I used my alone time to to research and look at some of the best photographs in the world which I accumulated by acquiring collections of “Life”and “Look” magazines – some of the best images of that time were inside those magazines. I dreamed of some day being a world-class photographer. As a young artist I knew photographs could communicate situations, experiences and feelings in a very poignant way. I knew I had a gift I needed to develop and excel at. Photography would earn me respect, awards and honors and through this process my self esteem and confidence grew. Opportunities soon presented themselves to me and I developed wonderful friendships and meaningful work relationships on my path to success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a legally blind Photographer and Video Artist residing in Mission Viejo, CA. I received my Master of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton in 2008. I also have fifteen years work experience as a professional fashion photographer. I have artworks in the permanent collection of the Houston Museum of Fine Art, the Museum of Contemporary Photography and many private collections. My work has been featured in national and international art exhibits – most notably- several exhibitions at the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington DC and the “Sight Unseen” exhibition which has been touring internationally since 2009. My work has appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines, articles and abstracts and in 2012 I appeared on CNN for an interview regarding my art and advocacy.
My experience with sight loss has informed much of my work resulting in images which utilized unique views and perspectives. My most iconic work is my “Blind Vision” series of self-portraits which represent my vision experienced through visual obstructions, blur and darkness due to sight loss. These images were breakthrough images transforming my career from fashion to fine art. In 1991 I was diagnosed with AIDS and soon after lost my vision to a related condition – CMV retinitis. At this time I thought my life and career were coming to an end. Thankfully, the medications used to treat HIV/AIDS improved and I survived, although my sight was permanently damaged.
The work I love the most is portraiture. I am obsessive about creating images of people and representing a unique narrative within the still image. My current project involves creating portraits with attitude. I have gone back to my roots photographing my subjects in luscious black and white. I utilize the technique called Chiaroscuro – This is an Italian term which literally means ‘light-dark’. In paintings the description refers to clear tonal contrasts which are often used to suggest the volume and modelling of the subjects depicted. Artists who are famed for the use of chiaroscuro include Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio I am also delving back to my fashion days and creating images inspired by the “Film Noir” of Hollywood’s 1940’s and 1950’s. After all I have experienced in my life as well as what we have all experienced with COVID, I am ready to create works of Fantasy, Fun and Fashion. ‘
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Joy – I feel strongly it is important to choose a career which brings you joy and inspiration. Having been close to death several times I realize how short are time is on this planet and how important it is to use our lives and time we have wisely.
Persistence – It is important to be persistent in your endeavor. It takes time to learn techniques and skills and it takes time to build a career. I read somewhere – it takes 10 years to become a success in any field you choose to pursue. People who are successful have the will to be persistent.
Uniqueness – Our society is full of cookie-cutter banality. It is important to approach life with a unique creativity and perspective.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
There have been so many people who have mentored, inspired, assisted and collaborated with me throughout my life’s journey. My family, my teachers, my bosses, my friends, other artists, my models, my doctors, my spiritual leaders, my husband, my guide dog and my patrons have all been part of a stunning tapestry woven into my life. It is so important for all of us to make connections, true, real connections with authentic human beings. Life, art, creation does not exist in a vacuum and each person involved in your life will have something to offer for your growth and experience on this planet.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kurtweston.com
- Instagram: [email protected]
Image Credits
Photographer: Kurt Weston Models: Laura Garaziden , Maria Oles, Maggy Hyperion, Sazzy Bously.
