Name: Trent Chantemerle
Hometown: Fort Mill, SC
Major: General Studio Drawing and Photography
Year: Junior
How did you first decide you wanted to be an art major?
Well I realized I wasn’t really enjoying my class structures, so I took up photography and art. I had always drawn and painted, but it was more of a hobby than a career path for me. And one day, I just decided I enjoyed it so much, I was going to major.
What do you like about being an artist?
I like being creative and working with models for both drawing and photography. And actually, the models really excite me because it’s something different to draw every time.
What classes have helped you a lot within your major?
Mark Hamilton’s classes in photography really have helped me. I’m taking a lighting class of his now in his new studio and it’s actually helped me a lot with drawing too, which is awesome. But on top of that, just general photography classes have helped me to really learn the camera and the different techniques. It’s really cool how both my photography classes and my art classes influence each other and influence me and give me all sorts of new ideas.
So each type of class really work hand in hand then?
Yes, definitely. Honestly photography is just drawing with light.
For any young and inspiring artists out there, what advice can you give them?
Art is hard, art is subjective and not a lot of people like that fact. And, even if people don’t like your art, you’re still an artist and you just have to find the area of art that makes you the happiest. Build on techniques and remember that the things that don’t go as planned in your work, end up being the best things for your work.