Today we’d like to introduce you to Darryll Schiff.
Darryll, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in Rogers Park, the son of a businessman and my mother the artist. The oldest of four siblings, myself and my sister, the next oldest, were sent to classes at the Art Institute on Saturdays when I was about 10 years old. Little did the two of us know that would be the foundation for both of our careers as artists. However, my path was not a straight road. As I grew older I veered away from the arts until, in college, with no direction in sight, I started taking art and design classes and then transferred from the University of Miami to the Institute of Design here in Chicago, taking photography classes and finding myself under the wing of the amazing Arthur Siegel and studying with Aaron Siskind, Joe Jachna, and a lot of discourse with Garry Winogrand and more influential photographers and teachers. As I said, this was not a straight line.
When I got out of school I decided to do commercial photography to make a living, working in Los Angeles and shooting people like Robin Williams, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tea Leoni, Mark Harmon, and Regina King. Despite this success I felt something was missing. I loved working with these celebrities but I needed more of a challenge and decided to get back to my fine art roots and to get out of L.A. for a while. Back in Chicago I started “looking for me”, my own style, something that would make me different from the rest. Shortly after that we were in Barcelona and I’m shooting the sights, knowing I’m getting good shots. Then BAM!!! I just stopped. Why in hell am I shooting like this?! Sure, I have my own slant on the subject but what makes it special? I’m in this amazing place with centuries of history while at the same time it’s as modern as any place in the world. How do I show this with a camera?? This “epiphany” basically started it all for me. It made me stop thinking like a photographer and really become an artist. What I am doing with the camera is unique. I haven’t found anyone, luckily for me, who has this desire and this approach.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Movement. Color. Commenting on modern life. Reflections of life. More Movement. More Color. Silhouettes representing us all. Big bright palettes. Subtle tones and back to Movement, Color. Pushing pushing the camera to see how far we can go with that tool. Don’t think like a photographer. Don’t be so traditional. Push Push Push but never forget the basics. And…..always remember its not about technique it’s about the image.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
The biggest challenge, which has been pretty much the same for years and years is getting recognized. Galleries for the most part are trying to survive. The major art fairs are hard to get into unless you are a gallery. But if you believe in yourself and you are willing to persevere through the hard times you have a chance.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People are welcome to make an appointment and visit the studio. Also, in that space is En Foco Gallery, the main representative of my work. We show my art at major art fairs like SCOPE, Art Busan, Art Jakarta and we will definitely be in Miami at one of the fairs this December. Look at my web site www.schiff-art.com and send me an email ds@schiff-art.com
Contact Info:
- Address: En Foco Gallery, 17 N Loomis, Chicago, IL 60607
- Website: www.schiff-art.com www.enfocogallery.com
- Phone: 312.61737519
- Email: ds@schiff-art.com enfocogallery@gmail.com
- Instagram: @darryllschiff
- Facebook: Darryll Schiff Fine Art
Image Credit:
All Pictures by Darryll Schiff.
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