THE PLAY of LIGHT, COLOR and SHAPE

whether it be 2 or 3-dimensional design is limitless. The imagination of the artist and viewer is free to interpret art without constraint or rules. Art does not need to be literal or specific to any subject matter or make “sense”. It simply must move the artist and viewer one way or another. Art without a strong emotional or visceral reaction by either party has not fulfilled its purpose.

~ Maggi Collins

“…the creative act is not performed by the artist alone…the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and interpreting its inner qualifications and thus adds his/her contribution to the creative act”.

~ Marcel Duchamp

Maggi Collins - Artist statement

THE EVOLUTION of an ARTIST

Beginnings

Age 4 ~ 6:

Crayola Crayons and a Kodak Brownie Camera. I loved Kindergarten…my favorite teacher discovered my art abilities. At one point I was coloring or painting everything red. Of course, it was and is my favorite color!

Age 7 ~ 13

I began drawing everything and photographing everything, especially fashion drawing. I loved clothes and learned to sew! Thanks to my Mom and Sister…both had fabulous taste and were great seamstresses. Newspaper fashion drawings were my inspiration…

Age 8 to and up

Began classical ballet and tap training…loved it!

Age 14 ~ 17

More formal art training…finally! Illustrations and posters for my high school newspaper. Field trips to art museums and the ballet became more frequent. Little did I know, the fashion drawings which captivated me and which I emulated were drawn by my future Fashion Illustration professor from Moore College of Art. Wow!

1965 ~ 1969 Moore College of Art

BFA Fashion Illustration and lots of Photography courses.

Working Years 1969 ~ 1972

Fashion Illustrator for La Vogue and Junior World, Newport News, VA Made clothes for boutique in Williamsburg, VA

Professional Dancer in Symphonic Drama 1973, 74, 76

“The Common Glory”, Williamsburg, VA… Goldie Hawn danced there too; 3 years prior Performed along side Glenn Close (actor), 1973

Maggi Collins, self-portrait, 2017

Artist for “The Common Glory” 1975

There was no production that year. Designed and silk screened 12 original posters for promotional purposes. On the job training…never silk screened before! They were a success! I still have a couple of them.

Professional Dance Years 1973 ~ 1996

Chamber Ballet, Newport News Ballet, classes at Pennsylvania

Ballet, PA; NYC Ballet (Skidmore College, NY). Regency Dance Academy, (Richmond, VA) classes at Richmond Ballet, Richmond, VA

These are highlights from my past which lead me to where I am today. There were many detours, stops, and complete changes in my career path. Doing the same thing my entire life was not meant to be. Fashion Illustration was a thing of the past. Graphic design and photography became my focus and continues to this day. Dance was and is a huge passion of mine…

now my emphasis is Argentine Tango. I continue to photograph but only subject matter I genuinely care about.

My love of digital painting and design began 4 years ago. It was something I had never attempted and felt I needed to experiment with all the unique and unusual tools Photoshop had to offer. So much practice, steep learning curves and some frustration led to my new passion! As they say, ‘practice makes perfect’. My art is not about perfection, it is about self-expression and the joy of creating something completely new and exciting!

To my Parents, Helen and Josh, my Sister, Jane, my wonderful husband Chuck and so many dear friends, I owe tremendous thanks! Without their constant love, support, encouragement and participation, my art journey would not have been possible! Thank you!

summary

Maggi owns a professional photography and fine art studio in Midlothian, VA. She won a Blue Ribbon in photography with the Virginia Professional Photographers' Association.

She has worked as creative director, photographer and graphic designer for over 20 years at various institutions: College of William & Mary, Waters Ad Agency, Style Weekly, Innsbrook Today Magazine and various freelance projects for VCU Theater Music and Dance Departments, Richmond Ballet, Pro bono photographer for charitable organizations such as Down Syndrome Association Greater Richmond, American Heart Association, Richmond Hospitality House and American Cancer Society

She is also a former professional dancer and instructor with Chamber Ballet in Williamsburg, and Regency Dance Academy in Richmond

career

1996-2014

Moments by Maggi Photography
Owner

Photography consists of Fine Family and Children’s Portraiture, Talent (dancers, actors, singers and musicians, models) Bridal and Fashion, Corporate and Pet Portraiture, Events

Processing image files in Photoshop, Creative Cloud and Lightroom for portraits, print, creating ads and brochures, business cards and promotional pieces for seasonal campaigns, designing marketing materials
Former Event Photographer for NAWBO, NEW, GRCC, Richmond Ballet
Headshots for Chamber Ballet and Regency Dance Academy, VCU Theatre and Dance Departments, Corporate Industries, Simply Ballroom Dance Studio, and Private Businesses.

Education

1965-1969

Moore College of Fine Arts Philadelphia, PA
BFA

Fashion Illustration and emphasis in Photography and Type design
Have working knowledge of Word, Outlook, Photoshop
Have experience with costume design, hair and makeup application through my portraiture, art and dance/stage experience.
Ballet and Modern dance training with Heidi Robitshek in Williamsburg, VA, Tidewater Ballet in Norfolk, VA, Virginia Beach Ballet, VA Beach, VA, Newport News Ballet, Newport News, VA,Richmond Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet Apprentice Program in Philadelphia, PA, New York City Ballet in Saratoga Springs, New York, Skidmore College, 1971 ~ 1996
Intensive study workshops and seminars in photography and design and marketing with Mid Atlantic Regional School of Photography from 2002 – 2008, Virginia Professional Photographers’ Association, 2001 – 2008.
Avid Argentine Tango Dancer.

Former professional memberships

NAWBO – National Association of Women Business Owners, NEW – Network of Enterprising Women, GRCC – Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, VPPA – Virginia Professional Photographers’ Association, PPA – Professional Photographers of America, BNI – Business Network International, American Business Women’s Association

volunteer experience

Lt. Gov. for VPPA, GOV. for VPPA 3 years experience (Virginia Professional Photographers’ Association)

Photographer for Richmond Ballet Events, Greater Richmond Downs Syndrome Events, ASK, BNI (Business Network International), Virginia Historical Society, MCV (Medical College of Virginia), VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University), MD News Magazine.

Awards

Red and Blue Ribbons in VA statewide photography convention

River City Express Network Express Success Award, “Above and Beyond”

Nominated twice for NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Addy Award winner, Waters Advertising Agency