WRITERS:

ERIN CLARK is an Emmy Award winning TV anchor/reporter, documentary film producer and Managing Editor for ARTWORKS Magazine. She did a lot of traveling for this issue: on a rainy day in Marin County she dove into the “water world” of Eric Zener, then in Los Angeles the spirit of production linocut printmaker Dave Lefner left a permanent impression, while hanging out with portrait painter Sean Cheetam was like spending time with a cross between Jonathan Cheechoo and Rembrandt.

BEN BAMSEY was born to be a storyteller. As Senior Editor for ARTWORKS Magazine he’s taken readers inside the studios of Ed Ruscha, John Baldessari, Wayne Thiebaud, Manuel Neri, Mr. Brainwash, Shepard Fairey, Gregory Colbert, Dale Chihuly, Ricardo Mazal, Artis Lane, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and many more. He’s also given readers a behind-the-ropes tour of Hearst Castle, chronicled the journey of Nazi-stolen Gustav Klimt art and traveled to Oxford, Iowa, to document the portrait of small-town America. Bamsey has also interviewed some of music’s finest: Lenny Kravitz, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Bob Schneider, Sarah McLachlan, Paolo Nutini, Gretchen Wilson and Zac Brown Band, while documenting his adventures at Austin City Limits and Outside Lands Festivals. He’s won two Emmys during his 15 year career as a journalist, and has a master’s degree from the University of Iowa – where he was also two-time captain of the Hawkeye men’s tennis team.

ALAN SHIPNUCK grew up appreciating Edward Weston long before he knew anything about the revered photographer, thanks to the poster of “Head Down Nude” that has always hanged in his father’s home. Getting to know the Weston family allowed Shipnuck to learn more about Monterey County, where he grew up. “I’ve driven by Edward’s old house without ever knowing its incredible history,” says Shipnuck, a senior writer at Sports Illustrated since 1996. Shipnuck is the author of two books on golf including Bud, Sweat & Tees, a national best-seller.

KIERA SCHOLTEN is a freelance writer and television producer based in Seattle, Washington. She scopes out the art scene in the Pacific Northwest for ARTWORKS Magazine. In this issue, she introduces us to two Seattle artists with contrasting styles and personalities. Kiera graduated with honors from Pepperdine University with a degree in broadcast journalism. She has previously worked as an editor and columnist for the The Graphic in Malibu.

YASMINE MOHSENI is Los Angeles-based writer and curator. Her articles have been featured in Newsweek, Newsweek International, Discover, BlackBook, and Fashion Week Daily, among others. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Art and Design History from the Bard Graduate Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Occidental College. She has worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Christie’s in New York, and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

BRUCE HALEY has come on board as our Photography Features Editor.  For more than 20 years, Bruce has covered war and a wide range of subject matter all over the globe; his combat photography earned him the prestigious Robert Capa Gold Medal.  He is currently dividing his time between long-term projects abroad and in the American West.

PRAKASH SHROFF was born and raised in Bombay. He fell in love with photography at the age of 19, and while in India worked for advertising agencies like Ogilvy & Mather, Grey World Wide, Euro RSCG and shot editorial for magazines like Elle and L’Officiel. He first moved to New York and worked with several photographers there, eventually finding his way to Los Angeles where he continues to work commercially and develop his own fine art portfolio.

HARPER SMITH was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her interest in life stories and social culture fuels her daily work
towards journalistic photography and portraits. Recently, Harper’s work has been featured in Malibu Magazine, as well as two national movie posters. She also shoots commercial work for surf and skate brands such as Matix and Quiksilver. She currently resides in Los Angeles, with her pug, Stewie.

DARCY ROGERS is a San Francisco based photographer.  She enjoys shooting portraits and personal spaces, which made her the perfect person to capture the power and poignancy of Tina LeBlanc, principal dancer for the San Francisco Ballet, rehearsing for her final season on stage.

NATE HOLTBERG is a Los Angeles based photographer who works mostly in the realms of fashion and lifestyle.  He graduated from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in ‘99, with a BA in Cinema. He realized his passion while taking a required photography course as part of his curriculum, and it was then that he decided to make a life around the lens.