The Art of the Personal Project is a crucial element to let potential buyers see how you think creatively on your own. I am drawn to personal projects that have an interesting vision or that show something I have never seen before. In this thread, I’ll include a link to each personal project with the artist statement so you can see more of the project. Please note: This thread is not affiliated with any company; I’m just featuring projects that I find. Please DO NOT send me your work. I do not take submissions.
Today’s featured artist: Scott Lowden
1050 Ponce De Leon Place is a famous – some would say notorious – old section 8 apartment building in my neighborhood in Atlanta GA. I’ve lived here since 1992 and have seen many characters come and go and I’ve also met some amazing people. One of the more surprising things I’ve noticed over the years is that many in this community are always smiling. I wanted to get to know the people who lived at 1050 and ask them – why, with all that is against you, financially, physically – are you smiling a genuinely beautiful smile? That was the beginning…
This project focuses, in broader terms, on the happiness and contentment found in Americans that seem to have nothing to smile about. Particularly the older folks, the handicapped, and those dependent on government aid for help. At first glance, the people who live at 1050 Ponce De Leon Ave fit this description. To those more fortunate, while driving or walking by, it may seem that there is only sorrow and desperation living inside the hulking red brick apartment building. But to every yin there is a yang. There is happiness found there, a bubbling up of the human spirit. Many of these amazing older folks are fighting battles with poverty or illness, yet they are truly happy individuals. They always seem to be smiling, and helping each other, a community. I’ve seen them impacting our neighborhood with their personalities, grins, and hugs since I moved to Poncey Highlands. In their happiness we find ours.
Smiles are contagious.
To see more of this project, click here
APE contributor Suzanne Sease currently works as a consultant for photographers and illustrators around the world. She has been involved in the photography and illustration advertising and in-house corporate industry for decades. After establishing the art-buying department at The Martin Agency, then working for Kaplan-Thaler, Capital One, Best Buy and numerous smaller agencies and companies, she decided to be a consultant in 1999. Follow her at @SuzanneSease. Instagram