Wendy Moller Interview
By Zach SmithWendy humbly refers to herself as "just your average housewife in southern california", but when she shows you her Polaroids you soon realize there is something more to her. I can honestly say I haven't seen many people take such wonderful shots from a Polaroid before. Wendy welcomed us into her world of her children's first upcoming gallery visit, documenting what she calls the mundane, and the depression that hits all users of the one click instant film Polaroid.
I don't see a lot of artists using Polaroids as their main medium for
expression. When I do it might be a couple, but not to the extent that you
have. What piqued your interest in the Polaroid camera?
Honestly, I'm a dunce when it comes to using a camera. I've never had the time or patience to learn, although I've always loved photography. I once had some sort of basic manual camera my dad gave me for graduation, but it was stolen out of my (yellow) car during my one semester of college in texas. Polaroid cameras fit the bill. low maintenance, not a zillion buttons or options, and they're cheap, which is a big plus. But what really set me off was digging through my mom's old photos. Even when I wasn't sure of the subject, they all seemed sort of familiar and nostalgic. I like that quality. Everyone relates to a polaroid!
What model/brand do you use?
My first polaroid camera was a Sun 660. Later, my father-in-law sent me his old SX-70. It's been a love affair ever since. Sometimes I play around with a land camera - auto100, too, but mostly just the SX-70.
I see you include your daughter in a lot of your photos. Is the environment your
children grow up in very artistic? Does he ever help out in deciding what you
should or shouldn't take?
I have three kids, Oliver, Sophia and Edith. Most of my photos include Sophia. She's very melancholy and extremely beautiful. The others get a little annoyed when I use them as subjects and like most kids they always have an opinion about my work. Pretty good critics, I'd say.
I try to keep a good balance in our house. We collect as much art as our finances allow whether it be thrift store finds or a good trade with Peter Shear (name drop!). The kids will be attending their first gallery show on February 24th at an art space called The Office in Huntington Beach. The artists featured are Mindy Cherri & Joanna Grasso. We'll see how it goes.
On a note that has nothing to do with your art but I just have to ask: How
bummed do you get when you pay for the film?
Pretty bummed. I've had my impulsive purchases of overpriced film from specialty camera shops, but I try to stick with buying in bulk from ebay. It helps ease the pain in my ol' man's pocket.
You are not striving to land the perfect showing or impress the right person
for some gain, you just take some photos which happen to be very beautiful.
What do you tend to focus on more? What seems to be your favorite subject?
Of course i love to take pictures of my children, but it's more of an opportunistic gig. My environment is quite small and can sometimes be uninspiring, so I take what I can get. Sort of a documentation of the mundane ...or maybe a redefinition. But for me it's all about the color most of the time. anything for a little color and light
I see your sister is also a talented photographer. Did you grow up in a very
artistic family?
Sara is the OG. We're always working on things together. We're crafty. I guess you could say we had some artistic influences from our family. My grandfather was a great artist and writer in his short life and my grandmother was an accomplished painter and teacher. My dad is a wonderful musician with a beautiful voice and talented with drawing, as well. Yeah, we're blue bloods of the art world i guess you could say.
p.s. www.sarasterkel.com.
What gets you in the mood to take the photo?
Having film in my camera and light enough to take the shot.
What is your overall outlook on your photos and art in general?
I love taking polaroids. I think it's definitely something I will always do, though, I'm not exactly sure where i'm going with it or how serious I am about being "an artist" just yet. Getting involved in shows and meeting other artists and art lovers is great, but admittedly, a little overwhelming for me. I'll continue to put more work out there as often as i can and we'll see where it takes me.
Shout outs? Yells? Hollers?
Hey ma, Mad Hatter and the kids, and the folks who got my back.
Wendy can be reached here.
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