Happy Sunday Everyone!

Today I would like you to meet our featured artist, Anita Starkoff. Anita and I are friends via the world of Instagram and she is a very creative and loyal fan of Made on 23rd. You may recognize a few of her photos on our website! Her love of photography began at a very early age as you can see in the photo below. I absolutely adore this image......such a treasure!

Thank you for sharing your story with us today Anita. Take it away!

I have always loved photography. My favorite photo of myself shows me at 6 or 7 years old taking pictures on 5th Avenue in New York. I always had a camera with me. I liked documenting life around me.

My husband and I settled in Boca Raton, Florida, and I was fortunate to meet and work with some amazing photographers through our business. I used color, black and white, various slide films and discovered the extended print, hand coloring collaging, etc. The Polaroid process was my favorite. Making image transfers from my pushed slide films and manipulating SX-70 prints was a favorite. As for many of us, a very busy family life took priority and photography became only a way to document holidays, birthdays, etc.

The “aha” moment for me was in 2011, when I started doing a 365 Project that I continue today. This helped me see the everyday wonders around me as treasures. It reminded me to see the light, look for that moment and enjoy it. Although I use my Nikon DSLR, my main camera is my iPhone. It creates the look I want. I also discovered Instagram, where I am constantly inspired, motivated and supported by so many wonderfully talented photographers.

In my images, I seek to capture a moment that is timeless and evokes an emotion. Texture, color and light are used to create that feeling. Making still-life images is my passion. I use vintage and found items.

The search for the perfect food or flower, the special props and the perfect fabrics and linens to make those elements more special is part of the process.

When I discovered the Made on 23rd products it was amazing.

The fabrics, so beautiful on their own, highlight the elements in my images. My goal going forward is to always be open for the moment, the feeling, the treasure to inspire my next  image.

Thank you Deb for this wonderful opportunity. Your support means so much.

Anita

See more of Anita's beautiful photography on her Instagram page!