ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Chesley Schwantes
Chesley’s work will be on view at Gallery 906 from November 15, 2024 - January 24, 2025.
You can get in touch with Chesley via her website: About - Chevergreen Photography (mypixieset.com)
Or connect with her on instagram: @chevergreen
As a photographer, my creative journey is deeply intertwined with the natural world, the raw spectrum of human emotions, and the timeless themes of romance and solitude. These elements, woven together, create the foundation of my visual language. I find inspiration in the subtle, often overlooked moments that carry a weight of meaning—whether it’s the tranquility of nature, the soft touch of a loved one, or the quiet introspection that solitude brings.
Much of my artistic drive stems from the influence of film and literature. I am drawn to the storytelling power that visual and written narratives hold, and my photography aims to capture this same depth of emotion. Whether it’s a melancholic scene that echoes the mood of a fog-covered landscape or a moment of tenderness between two people, I explore how emotions—especially those that are complex, hidden, or ephemeral—can be expressed visually. My work frequently balances the tension between individuality and togetherness, love and isolation. I’m fascinated by how these seemingly opposing forces coexist within our lives, often defining how we experience the world.
At the heart of my photography lies an exploration of fleeting moments, those that are both precious and elusive. These moments are often linked to memories of love—memories that, while vivid, feel distant, as though they exist just beyond reach. Through my lens, I try to capture this bittersweet tension, creating images that evoke both longing and nostalgia. The high contrast and shadowed lighting I use are not just aesthetic choices; they are tools to accentuate the emotional complexity of these experiences. It’s in these shadows that I find room to express what I can’t always put into words.
Photography for me is a way to externalize emotions I often find difficult to articulate. There is a fluidity between the act of creation and the emotions that inspire it; sometimes, I don’t fully understand what I’m feeling until I see it in the photograph. The camera becomes a bridge between my inner world and the external one, allowing me to navigate that space where emotion, memory, and imagination meet.
Ultimately, my work is an exploration of the human experience through a lens of introspection and emotional depth. Each image is an attempt to capture the unnameable—the feelings that exist between moments, the balance of love and solitude, the beauty in what is fleeting. Through photography, I seek to connect not only with my own emotions but also to offer a space where others can reflect on their own experiences of romance, solitude, and the complex emotions that define us all.