consulting: philosophy + practice

I am an artist and teacher and am fascinated with the artistic process. I have been watching, studying, experiencing and questioning the creative path for many years. Helping others with their process feels natural and satisfying.

The idea behind creative consulting is to help you identify, move towards and attain your creative goals as a visual artist and/or professional. On this path, a little outside perspective and motivation can be a catalyst, whether that takes the shape of a little nudge or a push off the proverbial cliff! Creativity is a trait that can to be recognized, exercised and fostered. I feel it is essential for image-making,  artistic vision, portfolio development, marketing, and overall business and artistic development.

My guidance has included writing artist statements, exhibition planning and preparation, image and portfolio critiques, developing and completing creative work/goals, website aesthetics and portfolio planning, exposure to historical and contemporary photographers, creative marketing for personal business and creative photographic assignments.

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I offer consulting and also teach workshops for several schools around the country. Below is what’s on the list for 2012.

Consult:

Hourly…$75/hour

Three Month Consult*/Seven sessions…$1500

Six Month Consult*/Fourteen sessions…$3000

*Generally sessions are via Skype, every other week.

Workshops:

Composition and Creativity. Whidbey Island, Washington. August 20 – 24, 2012. Pacific Northwest Art School.

The San Juan Islands. August 26 – 31, 2012. Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

Creative Expressions in Photoshop. September 9 – 15.  Maine Media Workshops.

Basic Photography.  October 13 – 19, 2012. Indianapolis, IN. Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

Alternative Print Workshop. TBA

Butterflies and Anvils:

I also publish a quarterly magazine, Butterflies and Anvils, a photographic journal about inspiration and art. Each issue features photographs, creative writing, articles about photography and the creative process, artist portfolios and interviews, and musings on traveling the artistic path.

Individual  issues are available for preview and/or purchase here.

I am also offering yearly subscriptions for 2012, below.

“Art is not meant to be made in stolen moments only.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estes

clients: testimonials + images

“The opportunity to work with Eileen Rafferty came to me at a perfect time. I was at the point with my photography where I was ready to hang up my camera . . . not because the passion was gone but because I was frustrated by my lack of direction and progress. I couldn’t have asked for a better motivator, teacher and encourager. Eileen has an uncanny grasp of the creative process and firsthand experience with the intricacies and unpredictability of the artistic journey. She is unfailingly generous in sharing her wealth of knowledge.

She is a gifted artist, but more than that, she lives her craft. Not just passion or vocation,  photography and art are a lifestyle for Eileen. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with her and look forward to seeing where the path leads me.”

- Vicki Tillard

“When I went to Eileen for help, I felt that my website was 90% complete. Her immeasurable help with editing, sequencing, and categorizing my images got that last 10% done. My website is so much better than it would have been without her consultations.

I wouldn’t want to attend a portfolio review event without first consulting Eileen. She helps me to take an abstract idea of what I want to present and make it into a tangible body of work.

Eileen’s knowledge of art history and current trends, as well as her keen eye for editing, sequencing, and getting the overall picture have helped my photography considerably.”

- Doug Ness

“EIleen Rafferty is an inspiring photography educator.  Eileen’s diverse artistic knowledge, teaching style and passion for photography encourages students of all levels to excel with whatever camera they have in their hands, from a Holga to the latest DSLR.  She has the rare ability to encourage students to “push the envelope” with their art, keep an open mind and be willing to express themselves without guarding the outcome.  Eileen is able to put aside her own photographic style to help students develop theirs.  She is available, highly organized and smart about all things photographic.  Eileen has the knowledge to assist with technical issues from exposure to video, the artistic talent to create moving images and the ability to teach both.”

- Elizabeth Stone

“As a photographer, I needed an artist statement to enter my work into certain venues, but I struggled with the wording. I can’t say enough about the excellent work that Eileen has done on my statement. She took a below average statement and transformed it into an appealing and informative artist statement. She listened to my thoughts and suggestions, then worked her magic, and far surpassed my expectations.”

- Bob Bertrand

“When inspiration does not come to me, I go halfway to meet it.” – Sigmund Freud

what is creativity: ritual + curiosity

Ah – the burning question…what IS creativity? How does one find the motivation, ideas and inspiration over a lifetime of work and image making? I have been exploring this process of image making and the evolution of the artistic path for fifteen years. I have interviewed, observed and taught creative types keeping a keen eye on process.  I have devoured endless books, written probing articles and struggled alone in the field, in the studio and in my heart and head. I have formulated some answers.

Why do we make creative work? Because we have something to say, show or express.

How do we make creative work? Through practice, perseverance, curiosity, improvisation and hard work.

Who gets to make this creative work? Anyone who has the desire and wants to learn how.

“An artist has to have friends who lift the spirit.” – Marina Abramovic

who i am: art + life

Photography for me has included everything from being a custom darkroom printer for clients such as National Geographic and the Smithsonian, to video installation, mixed media, studying photographic history and welcoming any new way to explore this fascinating medium and its rich presence in our culture.

My materials include cameras of any sort, 8mm film, video, family photographs, photo illustrations or images born from writing and the stories in my head.

I also like old typewriters, unexpected loveletters, the Big Dipper, airplane windows and red dogs.

I believe in making meaningful work and learning something new every day. I also believe that we can all grow creatively with ritual, hard work, a bit of serendipity and an occasional outside nudge. For my work, I find the ideas evolve or revert, the materials baffle or comfort, and the process challenges or steadies. But in the end, it always seems the images, words and relationships are what matter most.

I have degrees in Human Physiology (BS) and Photography/Film (MFA). My home base is Missoula, Montana.

I teach for The Art Institute, University of Montana, Pacific Northwest Art School, Maine Media Workshops, and Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

I also contribute to B&H Insights blog and publish a magazine called Butterflies and Anvils, a photographic journal about inspiration and art.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  info@eileenrafferty.com

“I am an artist. I am here to live out loud.” – Emile Zola