Jaeda DeWalt

ABOUT JAEDA DEWALT:
I am a self-taught taught artist that discovered my passion for photography, back in 1995, while writing my first book, Haunting Hands. A book initially intended to be a collection of poems i had written about surviving a difficult childhood. I decided it would feel more personal if i created the cover for the book myself. Shortly thereafter i purchased a camera and turned my living room into a makeshift studio. I did a series of self-portraits and then another and another. The process of creating and putting myself in front of the camera felt cathartic, liberating and healing.

The photographic medium opened up a new world to me and ignited a kind of passion within that i didn’t even know i was capable of experiencing. My book transformed into a, survivor-orientated, photographic essay and that started me down the path to becoming a photographic artist.

ANSWER TO THE MOST FAQ EVER:
Are your self-portraits, self-portraits?
YES
I don't consider a self-portrait to be TRULY a self-portrait unless i take the picture of myself, by myself. It's not easy to chase oneself around with the camera, LOL. But that's what i do. I use two camera's, one with a remote control and one with a self-timer. Sometimes i get the shot i want on the first shot or first few frames and other times it takes me 100's of pictures to get the shot i want.

WHY do you create?
. . . because imagery, poetry and words can offer us a feeling, an experience and the magical gift of transport. I want my imagery to give people a way to express themselves, to offer them a moment of magic and wonder, I want to ignite the imagination, emotions and give people a sense of connection.

Learn more about my creative process via the Q & A page of my website.

BRIEF BIO:
I have produced cover art for books, playbills, collective fine art books and have had my work exhibited in New York, including the Hofstra Museum. In 2009 i published, Shades of the Soul an artography book featuring my art and poetry.

I WOULD LIKE TO MEET:
People compelled to develop and utilize, the gifts they have been blessed with, to serve others.

Art & photography lovers, csa survivors, photographers, painters, poets, musicians, illustrators, actors, dancers, performers, humanitarians, environmentalists, vegans, yoga enthusiasts, spiritualists, tattoo artists and creative people. People living their lives with a sense of purpose and passion. People with a strong spirituality.

People, of whom, are awake and excited about life! Individuals, of whom are; kind, quirky, eccentric, creative, open-minded, witty, sensitive, sweet, dreamy, inquisitive, innovative, visionary and on and on!