Artist Bio

Kevin Lowdon is a photographer working with both documentary and mixed media/experimental image making. He has a BFA in Photography from Western Washington University.

 

His documentary work focused on the aspects of live music and performance-based arts. Through a display of both rage & intimacy, his photographs are constantly evolving and moving closer to fine art images. At the same time he is constantly experimenting with alternative ways of creating photographic images. The photographic images he creates are colorful and abstract. By constantly inventing new ways to create photographs, he is in turn able to evolve as an artist just a frequently as his work.

 

Kevin has worked for and contributed to various non-profit organizations, newspapers & publications in the Pacific Northwest. These include the Make.Shift Art Space, What’s Up Magazine, the Whatcom Museum, and The Cascadia Weekly.

  

Artist Statement

The works I do consist mainly of: documentary/journalism photography and mixed media/experimental image making.

 

My main subject matter in terms of documentary work is in the area of live music. When photographing live music, I position myself, as close to the band as possible, beyond what is normally socially acceptable. It can be tricky when working in a small space. Both musician and photographer are trying to simultaneously create, but that’s half the challenge. In this world I become part of their artistic process and they in turn become part of mine. I am able to capture what I believe to be an honest moment, even if that honest moment is getting elbowed in the face or trampled. This is the environment in which I thrive.

 

With image making (through experimental/alternative process), I find myself constantly embracing the aspect of chance. I never know exactly what the piece is going to turn out like. Most of the time the results are unsatisfying and frustrating. However, this is what drives me to continue to seek out the perfect image. When I finally produce an image that I feel is successful, the work is more rewarding than I can possibly describe. The works are abstract, different, and completely spontaneous, but that is why they are so compelling to me, both conceptually and compositionally.

 

Artist CV

 

Education

2014 BFA in Photography, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

2010 Bellevue High School, Bellevue, WA

 

Grants/Awards

2010 PSESD Art Show Honorable Mention, Bellevue, WA

2010 1st place Bellevue Art Museum Landscape Contest, Bellevue, WA

2010 Ribbon of Merit & Honorable Mention Washington State Photo Contest, Bellevue, WA

2009 Ribbon of Merit & Honorable Mention Washington State Photo Contest, Bellevue, WA

 

Solo Exhibitions

N/A

 

Group Exhibitions

2013 Postmarked, Make.Shift Art Space, Bellingham, WA

2013 What’s Up! 15 Years of Local Photos and Covers, Make.Shift Art Space, Bellingham, WA

2013 Faking It, B-Gallery, Bellingham, WA

2012 Silent Auction, The Old Foundry, Bellingham, WA

2010 PSESD Art Show, Meydenbaur Convention Center, Bellevue, WA

2010 Washington State Photo Contest Exhibition, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA

2010 BAM Photo Contest Exhibition, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA

 

Publications

2013 Ink Egg No. 1, Jeopardy Magazine, Bellingham, WA

2013 Girl Guts, Cascadia Weekly April Vol.8 Iss.16, Bellingham, WA

2013 Two Gallants & Future Twin, What’s Up Magazine February Vol.15 Iss.12, Bellingham, WA

2013 Seacats, What’s Up Magazine January Vol.15 Iss.11, Bellingham, WA

2012 Beardingham, Cascadia Weekly November Vol. 7 Iss. 45 (Cover Photo), Bellingham, WA

2012 Make.Shift Art Space, Cascadia Weekly October Vol. 7 Iss. 42, Bellingham, WA

2012 Totalizer, Cascadia Weekly August Vol. 7 Iss. 33, Bellingham, WA

2012 Make.Shift Block Party, Cascadia Weekly July Vol. 7 Iss. 29, Bellingham, WA

2012 Various Photos, Make.Shift Newsletter July Vol. 2.5, Bellingham, WA

2012 Lee Corey Oswald, What’s Up Magazine May Vol. 15 Iss. 3, Bellingham, WA

2012 So Adult & Dog Shredder, What’s Up Magazine September Vol. 15 Iss. 7, Bellingham, WA

2012 Spirit of the Peninsula, Sierra Club Daily Ray of Hope May Newsletter

2012 Crimson Sky, Sierra Club Daily Ray of Hope April Newsletter

 

Projects/Commissions

2012 – 2013 Private Art Commission, Last Flowers Album Cover, Digital Photograph, Lynden, WA

2012 Public Art Commission, We Art Whatcom County, Multi-Photograph Display/Installation, Whatcom Art Museum, Bellingham, WA

 

Employment

2012 – Present Photographer, Make.Shift Art Space, Bellingham, WA

 

Internships/Volunteer

2012 – Present Photography Team Member, What’s Up Magazine, Bellingham, WA

2012 – Present Photography Intern, Whatcom Art Museum, Bellingham, WA

2009 Arts & Crafts Fair Set Up Volunteer, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA

 

Lectures/Panels

2012 WWU Student Panel at SPE NW Regional Conference, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

 

Gallery/Publication/Organization Affiliations

Make.Shift Art Space, Bellingham, WA

What’s Up Magazine, Bellingham, WA

Yellingham Music Festival, Bellingham, WA

 

Software Proficiencies

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office