Vince Fallis

Originally from Kansas, Vince Fallis began his long career in art drawing superheroes and taking snapshots on the many, long bus rides to California he took as an adolescent. There, his father taught him how to use a Canon AE-1 and 8mm movie cameras, which he began using to document these cross-country adventures.After 30 years in retail management, never having abandoned his creative passion, Fallis returned to school to complete his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.His current photographic series is heavily influenced by the teachings of Elijah Gowin, whose insight and expertise in alternative photography changed Fallis’ perception on form and narrative in encaustic photography.He aspires to pursue his MFA, with the goal of teaching and opening an independent gallery.

In my practice I enjoy a wide range of photographic methods, from using pinhole and tilt shift lenses, to free lensing. Typically, I begin most of the work on film, but may employ various digital editing techniques to enhance the dreamlike quality of the photographs. My past work Fallen Stars was inspired by the works of John Milton, Dante Alighieri, Gustave Doré, and the Book of Genesis. This work utilized both shallow depth of field and differing focal planes, drawing the viewer to the subject through a more subtle, indirect motion. The aesthetic is that of an aged scroll, unearthed from a time long lost, giving the viewer a window into these re-imagined histories.Whether landscape, portraiture or staged scenes, I strive to create drama and movement, inspired by the classical curves and poses of Greek, Roman, and Renaissance art. Through my own unique blend of alternative processes, I aim to push the visual perception of the viewer, while challenging societal norms and preconceived beliefs by depicting narrative images full of contradictions and mystery.Today, I have migrated to the art of encaustic photography. Working with hot wax in transfers and painting of photographs has brought about its own challenges, yet it is most rewarding and I believe the place I will call home.