Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Kessler.
Ariel Kessler is a collector of stories.
Her collages encompass light hearted, colorful imagery in a whimsical world. Inspired by Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein and other children’s books authors and illustrators.
While in contrast, her photography lets viewers into her private self. Quiet, haunting and evocative. Inspired by 20th century female photographers.
At a young age Ariel developed a fondness for painting, printmaking and photography. Building her first darkroom at twelve years old while using her late father’s Nikon F, she took photographs wherever she went. At eighteen, she moved to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts. There she became enraptured with small camera, street-like photography. After two years of focusing on this style, she moved back to her hometown of Boston to attend the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she was mentored by some of the masters of the view camera and was given the opportunity to work with the Polaroid 20×24 camera. She graduated with her BFA in 2010. She has studied advanced alternative photographic processes in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Savannah, Georgia.
In 2011, Ariel started Defend The Darkroom. What began as screen printing t shirts, bumper stickers and selling them at galleries and shows grew into a Facebook page with a large following of analogue photographers. A community was created which centered around sharing articles, art, and techniques with fellow analogue photographers.
Ariel has a regular column in the magazine Photopreneur. A magazine which helps photographers begin and grow their business. Ariel’s column is called “Analogue Culture” and focuses primarily on analogue and alternative photographers. www.photopreneurmag.com
Ariel Kessler has exhibited her work all over the United States, and internationally in Mexico and Japan.
Her work can be found in public, and private collections throughout the world.
Ariel lives in Watertown, MA with her dog and muse Georgia.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I do mixed media art that utilizes collage, printmaking, painting and analog/alternative photographic techniques.
I’m a firm believer in getting your hands dirty while making art. My process is really tactile.
Each piece will have layers and layers of paper, paint, ink, etc.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I am a full time artist. So of course, I am trying to make a living at this. This isn’t a hobby! This is my passion. I live, breathe and consume art all day every day. But most important, it makes me extremely happy, satisfied and fulfilled with life.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I do shows throughout the year in Boston and New England. My website is www.arielkessler.com or you can follow me on Instagram @ariel.kessler
Both of which you can follow me on where upcoming shows will be. I am a believer in making affordable and accessible art. I am always up for collaborations and commission work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.arielkessler.com
- Phone: 6178512586
- Email: ariel.kessler@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ariel.kessler
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ariel.kessler1
Image Credit:
1. “Untitled Forest”
2. “Berries”
3. “Starry Eyed”
4. “She’s Going Through A Phase”
5. “Two-Lips”
6. “Ivy”
7. “Vintage Swimmers”
8. “Narwhal”
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
