Melanie Temmer


ARTIST STATEMENT

People always ask me where I grew up. It’s difficult to answer that question. My mother called us gypsies, always on the move, raised on a road trip. Born in California, I traveled with my family throughout the country during my youth.

I loved the poetry of Robert Frost. “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.”

Too poor to own a camera, I kept my images in my heart. My life changed when I was plucked from my college radio station, KSPC, to intern with “The Who” for their Farewell Tour. I shed the marketing internship, jettisoned the pre-med studies and dove into art, music and politics. I moved to London for a time and upon my return to Los Angeles, began working in public radio. Self-taught in audio engineering, I worked in sound and radio production for commercial and non-profit. Expanding into visual engineering, my experience with U2 and David Bowie vitalized me. In 1999, I decided to keep my promise to myself, enrolled at Los Angeles City College and began my love affair with the camera.

“Il n’y a rien dans ce monde qui n’ait un moment décisif” - Cardinal de Retz. Whether I am holding my Hasselblad, Nikon or Leica, be it film or digital, I hope my images take you somewhere. I am in the woods, and they are lovely, dark and deep.

CURRENT

Portrait photography ~ Classical, environment, candid, glamour, lifestyle, concept
~ Special needs youth and adults in equine therapy

Teacher ~ Photography workshops for disadvantaged and at-risk children

Fine-art and landscape photography ~ Private art collections, 2006-present


EXHIBITIONS

Women In Photography International 2005:
“Moose Pass”, Honorable Mention, Virtual Visual
“Leaf in Sand”, Honorable Mention, Beauty: Camera Eye of the Beholder

The Norris Gallery, Palos Verdes Art Center 2003 Solo Exhibit
“Color is at the Heart”

Spoleto Festival, South Carolina 2001
“Fine Art Exposures” exhibit

Da Vinci Hall Gallery, Los Angeles City College, 1999
“Madonna and Child”, black and white portrait

MEMBERSHIPS

Professional Photographers of America (PPA)


UPDATE - AUGUST 2015 - APRIL 2017

He was standing in the foyer, at what I remember, was Royce Hall at UCLA. Surrounded by people, I thought that I would never be able to meet him. Throngs of people, unrelenting, were pushing. And then, he turned and he looked at me. At me? His gaze was at me! And he introduced himself to my soul. It seemed as though time was suspended. For a glimpse of eternity we were in a conversation of no words. For a decade, I didn't understand my 1989 moment with the Dalai Lama. Not until it found expression in the medium of photography, bubbling like champagne of the soul, uncorked. Energy! I've been chasing, studying, cajoling, negotiating and dancing with energy since. Why? Everything is Energy.

What do we make of it?
Peace? Health? Strength? Respect? Love? It's our choice.


Women In Photography International Charter Member


Melanie Temmer
Los Angeles, California
WIPI PhotoProfile
melanietemmer@hotmail.com
www.fineartexposures.com

©Copyright for all images remains the property of exhibited photographer, and promotional use for Women In Photography International. All inquiries regarding use of and purchasing image use rights must be directed to the photographer.

File GALLERY & BIO complete August 30, 2014
s-8/30
UPDATE: Photographer response AUGUST 2015 - APRIL 2017

UPDATE FINAL: May 2017 website content 1999-2017
womeninphotography.org file transfer to the Beinecke.
All organization files, computer, external hard drive, printed materials, photographs,
DVDs, books, competitions files and onsite installation art work .