Jessica Wesolek

I love photography.

Interestingly, though I had formal training in art, film, illustration, teaching, and graphic design, I didn't learn photography in a formal setting. The story is more interesting than that.

In the early 80s, I was immersed in my graphic design and marketing firm in San Francisco. I was happy that my company was successful, but very sad that I spent my days (and often, nights) in client meetings, at a layout table, or on the computer.

I had no time at all for my "real" art - my painting. There was never more than a free hour at a time, and that was not enough to get any creative satisfaction from painting.

A friend, with great insight, suggested that I buy a "real" camera - and I did - although most of my knowledge of photography came from art directing studio shoots, and I had hardly any hands-on experience. But, my friend's idea was that photography would give me a way to get that creative "fix" that was so needed.
"Self Reflection", ©2008, Jessica Wesolek, Santa Fe, NM
I started in my own backyard, and was instantly both fascinated and frustrated - not knowing enough to do what I wanted to do with the medium.
And then, with the perfect timing of things when they are meant to be, I got a new stepdad, who just happened to be a Master Photographer. Of all my siblings, he got to know (and love) me the fastest, because I constantly hounded him to teach me all he knew. His name was Clyde Dirla, and he was a world class photographer. We lost him last Spring, at the age of 84, but he is and will always be with me every time I hold a camera.

Of course, my photography got entwined with my graphics business, and I found myself shooting nature shots for corporate and commercial calendars, advertising, and catalog covers, and even studio shots for the catalogs. But, I never lost the idea that an hour by myself with my camera can replenish me - both spiritually and creatively.

Hopefully, I can share this wonderful gift with my students.
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