Artist Spotlight

	Dale Stine

Name: Dale Stine                               

City:  Miami Beach     

Birthplace: North Carolina

Artistic Medium: digital photography

How did you get started?

I was basically born with the spirit of a gypsy so that’s really how it all started.  Let’s see, little boy sings show tunes to an imaginary audience.  He performs on a stage that is actually the front porch and sings to a packed house that is actually an acre of grass and pine trees known as the front yard.  From there, it’s a natural progression to a master’s degree at The Juilliard School in New York City, right?  Now, there are lots and lots of in-between steps that I’m just going to gloss over here. Note: re-apply gloss several times and keep repeating.  Suffice it to say that I met a “many-lifetimes” friend, Jim, who handed me his digital camera one afternoon on Fire Island and asked me to photograph him in the blue-sequined overhauls and feathery blue head-dress that he happened to be wearing at the time.  What?  It was Fire Island.  It was the afternoon.  It was sunny.  Anyway, I was smitten—with the friend, the camera and yes, the feathery head-dress.   I’m actually going out to L.A. to visit Jim, my friend (and mentor) in just a few hours.  How appropriate that I am writing these words now.   I love synchronicity!

Who or what are your influences?

My mother Sherlie, who is an amazing woman—so wise, so kind, an angel on earth, a gift and blessing to the universe. Also my great-grandmother Gertrude, who died on my fifth birthday.  She has always been my muse, I just didn’t always know it.

What inspires your work? 

I am always inspired by whomever or whatever I am photographing in the moment.  It is that singular experience of being so completely immersed in the “now” that speaks to me and through me.

How does Miami/South Florida influence your work?  

The colors of the light and the ocean, the volatility of a tropical climate, the sky and the clouds, especially when they’re billowy and feel so close it’s like they’re embracing us, and the sunsets, when the pageantry of color and light are so spectacularly jaw-dropping that all I can say is “Paint it, Sexilia, paint that sky, girl!”

How would you describe your work?

Two responses come to mind:  1) as an extension of myself or as an expression of my innermost feelings.  2) A quote and song title from Rod Stewart, “Every picture tells a story, don’t it?”

What has been the most unusual reaction to your work from the public?

Dale Stine….aren’t you that guy who dances on the box?

What would you like to achieve as an artist?

Ah, therein lies my inherent weakness, or strength, or whichever.  I like to be surprised, therefore, I haven’t been so skilled at paving my path in that regard.   But, I can say that I desire a deeper understanding of myself and I believe that I may achieve that through my work as an artist.   And, I have a great desire to share my word, my work, my truth in ways that are yet to be revealed to me—oh, darn, there’s that same element of surprise again.  Can you tell that I find this particular question rather cryptic?  Okay, okay, so it’s my answer that’s cryptic, vague, nebulous. I’m a Pisces with a Gemini Ascendant and Moon in Aquarius—what else is there to say?

Upcoming shows:

I have several projects in the works, some kinky ideas that shall remain undercover for now.   I did just collaborate with artist and sculptor Maria Alquilar for Art Basel.  We combined photos of her paintings and sculptures with my imagery to create multi-layered pieces which were quite fascinating. 

Where is your work available?