Getting There: Adriana Uhlman

In our blog series, “Getting There,” we ask professionals and experts what it takes to be successful and what kinds of advice they can offer. And, as we believe the concepts of curiosity, creativity and communications are vital to contributing to the success of any endeavor, we are also interested in knowing which they have utilized most often and how.

Adriana Uhlman
Winter Garden, Florida

We are featuring another artist in our "Getting There" series. Adriana Uhlman is a multi-discipline artist and educator and explains the importance of art in our daily lives.

What got you interested in art and photography ?

My interest in photography began when I was about 12 years old. I asked my parents for a camera for Christmas and fell in love with photography.  I found myself always wanting to take photographs and my body of work evolved from that point forward.  As I got older, I began to explore alternative processes in the studio and darkroom. 

Why did you decide to start teaching in the visual arts?

Working with children always seemed very natural and came organically to me. Merging that concept with teaching art seemed like a natural progression. Children seem to be busier and preoccupied these days and might not take the time to create something with their hands.  The opportunity that I have to reach them and help them to accomplish making something themselves is an important part of my life and, hopefully, their lives.

How do you use the concepts of curiosity, creativity and communication?

When I see an image or object that interests me, I might photograph it and research the process. The concept of curiosity keeps it in my mind and if it is something that I keep thinking about, then I might take it a step further. The concept of creativity comes from many different places for me. I try to be creative in my artwork and in my daily life. When I get an idea I like to be able to work on it and come back to it at another time. This process helps my creativity because I can be inspired by my events during a "regular" day and that will reflect in my work. The concept of communication is a focal point of my artwork.  I am often trying to communicate something in my artwork and at times it can be clearer in some artwork than others. 

What advice can you give to someone who might be interested in art professionally?

The advice that I would give to someone who might be interested in art professionally would be to practice at it every day.  If someone wants to be good at something, they need to work on it every day.  They should know their craft and the facets of it.  Specializing in a medium is fine but the artist needs to be well rounded and know something about most mediums.  This will help them to be prepared if a situation arises and they need to step out of their comfort zone.

Getting There: Joseph Cioffi

In our blog series, “Getting There,” we ask professionals and experts what it takes to be successful and what kinds of advice they can offer. And, as we believe the concepts of curiosity, creativity and communications are vital to contributing to the success of any endeavor, we are also interested in knowing which they have utilized most often and how.

Joseph Cioffi

Winter Garden, Florida

Joseph Cioffi is a multimedia, visual arts and branding /marketing instructor at Foundation Christian Academy.

What got you interested in multimedia, photography and visual arts? 

As a boy I showed some natural talent and skill in drawing. From what I can remember, a blank sheet of paper was the very first time in my life where I felt like I could do whatever I wanted, and that thought brought me a lot of excitement. I saw anything blank as a possibility. Because it came easy to me, I practiced and would naturally gravitate to it when I had free time, hence I developed the talent.

How do you use the concepts of curiosity, creativity and communication ?

I am a very curious person. I always questioned just about everything and had to know how things work. Curiosity for me most times seems to lead to discovery. Somewhere, between curiosity and discovery, it seems to spark independent thought and creativity. Curiosity causes me to ask questions and the answers I come up with helps me understand. That leads to some type of personal interpretation and wanting to share what I think with others. This leads to wanting to communicate, and that requires creativity. Creativity in thought, creativity in action and creativity in communication. For the simple reason to substantiate my interpretation of something, it requires me to make a compelling argument that may either convince or spark curiosity to those I am sharing. 

Why did you decide to start teaching in the visual arts?

I have a coaching background and I have found that through teaching there are so many intrinsic rewards for both parties involved, the teacher and the student. For the most part, in teaching, I seem to gain a better understanding of both what I have been taught and what I have learned. In addition, it provides me with an opportunity to gain direct and personal insight from a diverse group of people from a different generation and perspective, that with in itself is so thought provoking. In addition, I come from a family of teachers, always wanted to try my hand at it. Also, in pursuing a profession, I always thought it wise to change direction every 5-7 years so I can learn and grow in a new direction. Lastly, I am not sure there is anything more rewarding than watching another human being grow.

What advice can you give to someone who might be interested in multimedia production or other visual arts disciplines?

Advice is difficult to give sometimes, because what works for one person may not work for another. Having said that, beyond the shadow of any doubt, reading is the most important investment of time. My entire world opened when I began to read. Reading requires the reader to use there imagination, to depict in ones mind and heart what the author is trying to convey. At the end of the day the impact that has on your mind, opposed to someone telling you or watching it on TV is so profound, that it may be impossible to articulate. By reading you discover so may other interests that it sparks more curiosity, which in turn leads to more discovery and creativity. 

Barbecue, the Preacher and the Power of Curiosity

The upside-down figure on the ground glass was carefully composed and focused. I withdrew from under the dark focusing cloth of the 4 x 5 large format camera and put in a film holder, set the shutter and waited. I asked the subject to hold very still and waited longer. Finally, the smoke from a nearby barbecue smoker cleared and I made two quick exposures before again being engulfed. I was taking photographs, but I was making a human connection.

My daily driving routine for the past three months takes me past a small country church. On most days there is no activity. But, on Thursdays, when I drive back home around 10 a.m., a man wearing an apron and baseball cap tends two large smokers sitting in front of the church under huge live oak trees.

Smoke billows out from the smokers and handmade signs near the road beckon drivers to stop for barbecue pork, chicken and ribs. Around 11, the dirt parking lot starts filling up with cars.

I am too early on most Thursdays to stop in for lunch. But, curiosity got the best of me recently so I decided to stop for a chat. Meeting strangers is never easy. Asking if they mind if I make a photograph or two is even harder. But, that’s what curiosity does. It gets me uncomfortable. But, the desire to understand people and find out what they have to say is a bit of an adventure and far outweighs the risks of being too timid to discover and share stories. And, everyone has a story.

Pastor Scotty Clark of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church greeted me with a hearty handshake and told me about barbecue and the church.

“The barbecue has supported this church for over 30 years,” Pastor Scotty said. “My mother is the one who came up with the idea as we needed money. So, instead of asking people for donations, they decided to get out and provide a service to the community as a means to raise funds. Barbecue was the answer.”

Pastor Scotty and The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church seem to know a thing or two about marketing.

“Most people that live in the area, they know we're out here, and a lot of them will come out and buy barbecue because they know it’s to support the church. You've got a lot of good people here. They know that the church has a vital role in the community.”

When I drove by, hand-painted signs for PORK, RIBS, and CHICKEN got my attention. I didn’t have to cut through industry jargon on a website to learn about the barbecue. Authenticity is a trending industry buzzword and they have plenty of it.

It’s also a sensory overload; the smell of the smoke, the sound the fire, the taste the ribs, the sight of people licking their fingers — all leading to referral and repeat business. Using multiple sensory sources drew me in as it does quite a few other people.

And, it all starts with curiosity.

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Eric Dusenbery (B.A. Cinema & Photography, Southern Illinois University) is founder, executive director and photographer for Cinderic Documentaries Inc., a nonprofit organization based in DeLand, FL. He utilizes the power of the still photograph for documentary work and frequently uses the traditions of the large format film camera for storytelling. His documentary photography has been widely exhibited and his work has appeared in numerous national publications. He is also a speaker and award-winning journalist.