Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do you take pictures of signs? Why would anyone want one of these? 
 

Q: Why do you take pictures of signs?

This question is frequently asked, but only by my normally supportive, currently baffled father. It may be that my last few threats have made an impact on him and I can remove this from my frequently asked questions list in the near future. For a real answer, see my artist statement.

Q: Will you be at this show next year? & How do you decide if you come back to a show? & How do you get into this show?

This is usually the answer that most surprises people: artists usually do not know if they will be back the following year. Many shows get 600-1600+ applications for 200 or so spaces. Every artist sends slides, and a new jury each year picks the ones that most impress them. The artist's name is not given, no resumes are allowed and it does not matter if the artist had a fantastic response by the public. This keeps the shows fresh, allowing new artists an avenue in and keeping would-be returning artists eating comfort food and losing hair.

Another factor is a conflicting show schedule. The past few years, Ft Worth's Main Street show has conflicted with my hometown show in Chattanooga. I have to make a difficult decision every year about this.

Sometimes, an artist does a show that is great in almost every way, but still does not re-apply. The show is well organized, the staff is friendly and everything goes well except for sales and customer response. I did one show in 2004 like this. The people were friendly, but ultimately I did not have the art that the majority at the show were looking for.

Q: What do you call this subject matter?

"Americana" is the term most commonly associated with the images I capture. I did not invent the term or I would have named it something like The Daryl Thetford Photographic Method.

Q: Did you take these?

YES, I did take these. Anyone who participates in art shows, at least the ones I do, must produce and represent his or her own work.

Q: Does the show furnish these tents and walls.

Sadly, we have to furnish our own tents, walls, and everything required to do the show. I drive a one-ton extended cargo van filled to capacity with show set-up equipment and artwork.

Q: Do you create some of these images or at least do a collage?

None of my photographs is altered, but people are often amazed that someone, for example, actually put a pink Studebaker on a 12' steel beam.  I now do photo- collages which is a completely separate body of work.

Q: What model is that Studebaker on the pole?

It is, as told to me by the owner, a 1953. This is apparently up for debate, but not with me, so argue amongst yourselves.

Q: Are these photographs?

I was surprised when I first heard this question, but given that my subject nature is often close-ups of signs, I now recognize that they are often seen as paintings. A couple walking by my booth said to one another, "Those paintings almost look like photographs!" When I told them that they were photographs, they both just laughed and kept walking.

Q: Were you trained in art?

It all depends on how you define "trained". With the little training I have, I could easily define myself as a Folk Art Photographer, if there is such a thing. I had a few years of training in oil painting as a pre-teenager from a woman who once played one of the Janes in the Tarzan movies. Really! But I am self- taught in photography. I think I have been able to do some of the things I do with photography because I simply did not know not to try them.

Q: Who were/are you influences?

Walker Evans, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol go to the top of the list. I had already begun taking the sign images that I love when I discovered some of Walker Evans's sign photographs. They served to inspire me and to confirm what I was already beginning to do.

Q: How do you find your images?

I am always looking as I drive. Sometimes I will find something unexpected near home as I am running errands and other times I will find images as I drive to shows. On occasion, I make special trips such as my Mississippi Delta Juke Joint project, which required several trips.  See Juke Joint page for more information.

Q: Do you frame and mat these yourself?

I do my much of my framing, but I do not have the patience to cut my own mats. The little mat cutting I have tried made me realize just how much I dislike fractions and trying to measure things to perfection.

Q: Are your photographs limited editions?

All photographs are originals and are limited to 100 per image for some series and 250 for others.
 

Q: Do the artists travel together like a carnival?

All artists are independent agents, deciding which shows they apply to based on a number of factors, such as location, market, show rank, etc.  This means that you are likely to have different artists from show to show.  There is always some overlap depending on who applies and who gets in.(see above questions for more detail on show selection).
 

Q: Do you sleep in your tent or van?

 No, if I had to do this, I would find another job.
 

Q: Do you sell your photographs unmatted?

The short answer is yes.  I often sell the larger images, 16 x 24 and above without mat or frame.  I do not sell the two smallest images without mats.
 

Q: Do you and your wife ( painter Dana Lise Shavin ) do the same shows?

 It often depends on the jury process, but we do many of the same shows. I often do a few more while she stays at home to paint for commissions or for upcoming shows.
 

Q: Are all of your images from the South?

No. While a number of the photographs are, I often travel with my camera so that I can shoot images wherever I find them

Q: Do you shoot digital or film?

All images are shot in a digital RAW format, often referred to as a "digital negative". I usually shoot with a cable release and a heavy tripod.  This was especially essential for the Juke Joint Project which required 30 second exposures.
 

Q: How do you print your  images?

The two smallest sizes are archival Ultra Chrome ink/pigment prints.  All of the others are LED (light emitting diode prints on traditional Kodak photographic paper.