Three questions with Leo Schindzielorz
All about his passion for photography
The creative, surrealist world of Mirjam Duizendstra
As a kid, image creator Mirjam Duizendstra thought her grandma's Polaroid camera was pure magic. Her heart set on photography from that time on, she experiments with a variety of photography styles. Her work incorporates a range of materials and techniques, and she uses a photo and design tool to add an extra personal touch to her images. "Sweet wrappers, 'spilt' paint on paving stones and rusty materials are all part of my projects. I also dip marbles in paint and roll them over paper or I'll splash around with a wet paint brush. I love the spontaneous, surprising shapes that appear!
About Mirjam
She works at an insurance company and insures items including the artworks that hang in other people's homes. In her previous job at a printing company, she was inspired by the magnificent works of art she came across, from reproductions of museum pieces to the inspiring work of photographers and artists. Her passions include creating images, interior design and nature photography.
The magic of anticipation
Mirjam was introduced to photography at a young age. "I remember well how I was allowed to develop photos in a darkroom with a photographer as a kid," she recalls fondly. "I was also deeply in awe of my grandma's Polaroid camera. The excitement of waiting for an image to slowly develop on a bit of white paper... I thought it was magic! Throughout my childhood, I started to get more and more interested in photography and I shot a wide range of photos. As well as that, I started to play about with anything I could get my hands on. I loved natural objects like beautifully shaped stones, dried leaves, shells and flowers. I also liked making (surrealist) collages from torn-up magazines, newspaper clippings and blobs of glitter glue. After completing my training in social work and education, I started work as a teaching assistant at a childcare centre, and there I was able to unleash a lot of my creativity."
From straight to over the top
Years ago, she bought her first SLR camera. "I had still yet to discover that it's the photographer that makes the photo, not the camera. I took a lot of photos with an ambiguous, humorous message. I was getting better and better at photography and I got a lot of nice feedback. But... I was doing it all based on instinct, not expertise. That sometimes showed in the quality of my photos." This was holding her back obviously and Mirjam decided to expand her knowledge. "I took various photography workshops and courses to improve my technique and joined photography communities. I became familiar with Photoshop and, with the help of books, the internet and lots of practice, I managed to make this tool my own. A new, creative world opened up for me. The possibilities are endless." Mirjam experimented with a range of photography styles, from straight to over-the-top (post) processing. "Photoshop gave my pictures an extra personal touch and I like adding a hint of humour. Sometimes it'll be in the title of the piece, sometimes in the image itself and sometimes 'hidden' in the background. The piece "Lok Down" is a great example. The title backs up the image. That said, I often choose to keep the title of a piece neutral. It's not about what it is, it's about what the viewer sees it as."
From sweet wrappers to marbles
Mirjam incorporates a lot of materials and techniques in her work. An example she offers: "Sometimes I'll go in with water or acrylic paint. For example, I'll dip marbles in paint and roll them over paper or I'll splash around with wet paint brushes. I love the spontaneous, surprising shapes that appear! I also tear text, shape and patterns out of magazines and use the textures from various types of cardboard. But also, sweet wrappers, 'spilt' paint on paving stones and rusty materials are all part of my projects. In Photoshop, I then build up the photographed elements layer by layer. For me, a piece is finished when I'm happy with it. It has to be right. One paint splat more, a shade darker or lighter can make all the difference for me. I can get really nit-picky here."
The girl, but now with eyelashes
"At the moment, my favourite picture is "Meisje met de wimpers" (Dutch for "Girl with the Eyelashes"). I really enjoyed the editing process and I think it's wonderfully over the top. My inspiration for this project came from a study by academics who discovered that Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" was originally painted with eyelashes. I gave the girl eyelashes and thought a bit of makeup wouldn't hurt either," laughs Mirjam. "She ended up getting a full makeover, I'd transformed her into a modern girl. It's very literally a classic with a modern twist. A very personal twist because I've worked as a model. I think it's great when old masterpieces are revived by creatives. It means that a new group of people is exposed to them and you don't just come across the pieces in classical interiors. How awesome is that?!"
Stylist Rosanne: "Do you want to have the best of the best? Then go for the aluminium Dibond. The piece is printed on fine-art quality photo paper and this is glued to a sturdy aluminium panel. Go for a modern matte finish so that Mirjam's work isn't reflective and you can hang it anywhere."
