Featured Artist Daniela Majic

Ethereal and dreamlike, the Secret Garden series by photographer Daniela Majic takes the viewer on a magical journey. To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

 

 

I have been a portrait and fine art photographer for over nine years. I first fell in love with photography as a child. I would use disposable cameras to photograph my Barbie dolls and toys. I continued to stay in touch with photography throughout my youth. However, I didn’t realize that it was something I wanted to pursue until my late teens. At the age of nineteen I was given my first DSLR (digital single lens reflex camera) as a gift, and the rest is history.

 

 

My photography incorporates the things I love—fashion, color, nostalgia, fairy tales and storytelling. I consider myself to be a storyteller first. My images are always planned out ahead of time. I draw out the ideas, I write stories for the concepts. I sew and create all costuming and props for all of my fine art imagery. Photography is the medium in which I am able to tell the stories I have locked within my mind.

 

 

I am currently working on an ongoing series entitled “The Secret Garden.” The series began in 2013 in my small dusty attic. During a creative block, I found myself looking through old boxes of props and costumes when the idea for the garden series came to light. I created a wooden backdrop (with the help of my husband) and stapled hundreds of silk and plastic flowers onto it to create my floral backdrop.

 

 

It was then that I realized that I didn’t even have to leave my house to create something beautiful. As artists, we tend to think we need the most amazing locations, materials and spaces to create great work. I wanted to challenge myself to create stories and beautiful imagery in a confined space with only a small budget.

 

 

The floral backdrop is treated as an art installation. For each new concept I re-paint, and add to the set. I used hundreds of flowers, artificial grass and other props to create the set in order to change it into new worlds.

 

Even though my Secret Garden series began in 2013, I continue to work on it. This year I am focused on finishing the series. I spend my days making costumes and props while my weekends are dedicated to photographing the garden scenes.

 

 

I am hoping to share the series with the world through gallery exhibitions and a book I am creating. My main goals are to finish the series this summer and work on gallery representation/exhibits as well as the Secret Garden book. Once that is done I will be planning my next series.

 

 

I am inspired by so many things, it is hard to keep track of them all. I find I am inspired by childhood nostalgia and gardens, fairytale stories and strange movies. Some of my inspiration comes from artists like Gustav Klimt and Monet as well as the photographer Tim Walker.

 

 

 

I find a lot of inspiration in nature and fashion design. I love the work of Alexander McQueen and Rodarte. I find I am always intrigued by the story behind the garments designers create. However, really anything can inspire me. I keep my eyes open for inspiration whenever and as often as I can.

 

Artist Daniela Majic invites you to follow her on Facebook and Print Shop.

 

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