JONATHAN CHERRY: When did you last see the sunrise?

NICOLE KELLY WESTMAN: Aligning within the cliché characteristic of artistic youth, I cannot recall the last time I watched the sunrise. My apartment faces the west and on days when I refrain from fighting the urges to remain cooped up I inevitably fixate my gaze out upon the falling sun as the hues of vibrantly blended light fade into night. I can confess a deep infatuation for the transition of fading light. 

JC: Any emerging artists inspiring you at the moment?

NKW: Yes oh definitely a few. Ruth Skinner, her work is a meticulous recording of the mundaneness of daily existence. Often her images impose a reference to the monochromatic. I find the interest in her photographs often attached to the play of light as though connoting an essence of innocence. Through these subtleties, she invites the viewer to rest their eye and meander in contemplation.

Rudie and I speak frequently with each other in criticizing tones as we rigorously analyzing each other’s work. He also orchestrates a blog of inspiration as he attains a grand knowledge of various photographic practices. He has an overly apparent, yet odd ability to confront his sitters until comfortable in front of the camera. 

Jacquie and I have collaborated on a number of works as we often accompany each other on the road for photographic trips. Undoubtedly our work has grown into maturity as we have braced many challenging circumstances together on the unforeseeable delusions presented en route a rural road. 

JC: Whats your current project all about?

NKW: At the moment I am following the direction of a mentor to resurrect, my once devoted, passion for large format portraiture. In an attempt to avoid my tendencies to adhere to a particularly rigid structure, I am currently repelling my own photographic intuition. Perhaps this is merely a post art school angst phase, non-the less the results have proved interesting.  

JC: Where are you currently living and how is it shaping you?

NKW: I am living in Vancouver which suits me fairly contentedly as half of the year is bathed in soothing, soft overcast light. 

JC: One piece of advice to recent photography graduates?

NKW: You learn more from your failures than from your success. Implement rejection as means of motivation and pursue your photographic passions with modest rigor as the motivating incentive. 

JC: Any big plans for the rest of 2012?

NKW: Oh heavens, I am not much for planning ahead. 

JC: Favourite tree?

NKW: I was born in the prairie grasslands and as such, white birch trees naturally seduce me, especially if their bleached bark is caressed by the light of autumn dusk.