Dianne Yudelson

Member Spotlight - June 2017

• Where did you grow up, and where do you live now? I grew up in the small mission town of San Juan Capistrano, California. Because I was always drawing and painting, as 1 of 4 siblings, my parents lovingly referred to me as “the talented child.” In high school, I expanded my interests to include performing arts, and my theater experience culminated in Hawai’i where I spent 4 years appearing in musical comedies in Honolulu. After a bout of Island Fever, I ended up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which I still call home.

• Why did you join TPS, and how long have you been involved? In 2012 a fellow photographer told me about the Texas Photographic Society’s international call for entry, and my image End of an Era (below) was chosen for the exhibition.

  The show traveled for the year around the state and in response to TPS’ support of my work, I in turn, became a supporting member. To be awarded First Place in the Members' Only Show in 2013 for my image Great Blue Heron (below) was thrilling, as was receiving First Place for this show again in 2014 with the photograph Under the Surface 9.
  

  I was honored and excited to continue supporting TPS by becoming a 2015 Print Program artist (showcasing the image below, Under the Surface 13). The term “society” suits the organization in that membership actually constitutes a beneficial relationship between the artist and TPS. Amy Holmes George is taking TPS in exciting new directions, and I plan to continue my involvement in as many ways possible.

• Why did you become a photographer, and where do you find inspiration or motivation for your work? Although I have always enjoyed photography, my passion in the field began when I discovered that, in addition to being a means of documentation, photography can be used as a fine art medium. Life inspires me, and I create from my personal experiences. As a girl I remember saying, “I wish I could sing like Barbara Streisand;” my mother pointed out that the world already has a Barbara Streisand. I decided then that to be original, you must remain true to yourself and your personal vision. I am motivated to create by the hope of evoking emotion that continues to resonate across time.

• How would you describe your photography and/or working process? My style is eclectic. By that I mean I embrace the challenge of exploring varied subjects and forms of artistic expression. Neither subject matter nor genre solely define my images; they are defined by my artistic esthetic. My working process could be defined as freeform—I allow the imagery to guide me to the final product. Originally I have a plan; however, I don’t let that stifle my creativity while photographing or creating the final images. When inspiration lays a new path before me, I gladly take a detour.
  

• Please tell us about your most recent photographic work. My most recent photographic work Lost is based on my personal experience with pregnancy loss. With each loss of my 11 babies, I kept mementos. They are all kept pristinely stored in a white box in my closet, as are the memories of their short lives kept pristinely stored in my heart. Meaningful art occurs when you share from the depths of your soul. So I shared. What I hope evolves from the creation of my Lost images is a broadening in the conversation and understanding of miscarriage, both physically and emotionally.

  Lost: Jane
  
  Lost: Mary and Vivian
  
  Lost: Charlie