Not just photography:
I am Wynn Culbertson (she/they), and I have a messy life. Over the years, I’ve been an artist, activist, teacher, writer, musician, craftsman, blue-collar laborer, and spiritual seeker. I’ve worked as an audio engineer, a laboratory technician, a library specialist, and in special education. I’ve marched for civil rights, taught wilderness survival, and explored various Eastern and Western esoteric and/or occult traditions.
I have identified as an artist since childhood, but my understanding of what that means continues to evolve. To me, part of being an artist is about opening others to new ways of thinking, perceiving, and understanding—role similar to that of a teacher. Lately, I’ve felt the urge to share what I’ve learned, and this blog is a way to do that. My goal is to offer insights from my experiences in hopes that others might make them their own.
A central theme of this blog is what David Lynch calls “the Art Life”—not just the how or why behind a work of art, but the full existence of someone who makes art their vocation. I want to share stories from all the seemingly disparate aspects of my life. All of these experiences shape my work in different ways. I want to show as much of that influence as I can.
But also, Photography:
I’ve long known that relying on social media to host a portfolio is a bad idea. As Instagram drifted away from being a platform for still images, I searched for alternatives. The final straw came when their parent company openly endorsed hate speech toward trans people. With no well-suited replacement, I decided to join the micro-trend of returning to blogs and newsletters. Shout-out to Brendon Holt, Andy Adams, and Nick Becker for inspiring me to build this website and make this shift.
As you read in the prior section, I am planning to blog on many subjects. Even though photography has been my primary medium for well over 20 years, my visual art roots are in the more “traditional” mediums of painting, drawing, sculpture, etc. In addition to visual arts, I have an extensive background in music that will also present itself through this blog.
The way we engage with other’s art shapes how we engage with our own. In that sense, this is very much a photography blog.
Why Write?
This blog is not just a space to share my work but a tool for understanding it. Writing forces me to articulate concepts, uncover meaning, and refine my ideas. My creative process often relies on instinct and the unconscious, with understanding emerging later. This blog is part of that process—a platform for exploration, reflection, and learning. Sharing it is an artistic act in itself.
I hope you find something here that resonates. Even if you don’t, I’d love to hear from you. My life is full of contradictions, and I know I have blind spots. Alternative perspectives are always welcome. Thanks for being here.
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