Marissa Killeen Mason Artist Statement My photographs combine figures with pattern. I wanted the subjects to be figures, but I wanted the content to be somewhat ambiguous and open to interpretation. I used patterned borders on these pieces to create unity within each piece and as a whole collection. I chose photography because I prefer media in which I can print multiples, mostly because I am overly attached to my work, and want copies for myself. I also wanted to shoot images of things that actually exist in real life. These figures are three-dimensional. So really I am making something that would not exist otherwise, in order to photograph it.  This series allowed me to combine different media into photographs. My influences include Carlos Tarrats, Zeke Berman, Marc Chagall, Egyptian art, and Aboriginal painting. I enjoy the work of Carlos Tarrats and Zeke Berman because they stretch the limits of photography. With these photographs, I wanted to broaden my color education, and Marc Chagall is my main color influence. I also love his work because it is so lively. The color and patterns in Aboriginal art, and the static, twisted figures in Egyptian art inspire me. Each piece starts with sketches, which develop into more detailed drawings. Then I make the figure and background from the drawing in stoneware, which is then fired. The figure and background are then painted, arranged, and photographed. I paint the borders on paper and photograph them. Then, I combine the border with the rest of the image in Photoshop. I print these small, so they are more intimate.