Jim O’Connor
Instagram:
@obsidiandreamsArtist Bio:
Jim O’Connor is a photographer based in Baltimore, MD.
Drawn to the aesthetic of abandoned places, he often works with models to create dark, atmospheric themes in these somber settings. Inspired by the works of E.A. Poe, Luis Royo, and Caravaggio, he incorporates these influences into his own artistic style. He currently works as a freelance photographer and Photography Lab Technician at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD.
Artist Statement:
I’m an art photographer with an affinity for abandoned places, fantasy art, and a bit of the macabre. From an early age, I found myself inspired by dark artists. I first read Edgar Allan Poe’s, “The Tell-tale Heart” in third grade and was immediately hooked on his remarkable storytelling ability. Later, I would discover the fantasy illustrations of Luis Royo and become enamored of the work of chiaroscuro masters like Caravaggio.
Exploring secluded and desolate locations with dynamic muses, I enjoy the challenge of working with limited resources while relying on the energy derived from these barren places. Combined with the collaborative efforts between my models and myself, this energy drives the creative process. My work serves to evoke a sense of appreciation for the forlorn by fusing vibrant, alluring figures with the somber and bereft. The idea that life and death are mutually exclusive or dichotomous is a misconception. Death is a human construct. Life is energy and energy is perpetual. It is never extinguished, only transformed.
Malevolent
Photograph/Photomanipulation
8"x12"
2019
Photograph/Photomanipulation
8"x12"
2019
Unrest
Photograph
8"x12"
2020
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Photograph
8"x12"
2020
Warlock
Photograph
8"x12"
2019
Heartless
Photograph
8"x12"
2020