NOMADIC EXPRESSION
WEST
Siaynz adopted the mantra of chasing sunsets. Each day, he eagerly anticipated the opportunity to capture the beauty of the sun as it slowly descended over the horizon. Even during his darkest days, he found solace in the warm rays that painted the sky in vibrant hues.
His passion for chasing sunsets led him to the West Coast, where he pursued his mantra to the fullest extent. Determined to follow the sun until it set, his art reflects the beauty and wonder that he discovered along the way.
NOMAD
Inspired by the unknown, Siaynz felt a desire to challenge himself and explore new horizons. Having grown up moving frequently and experiencing violence throughout his life, including the loss of his father due to drug-related violence at a young age, he viewed home as merely a place to rest his head. As he reached his late teens, he made the decision to leave home and embark on a journey to discover the world beyond his previous experiences.
“Creative Expression was crucial for my health, I wasn’t always the best at communicating my emotions through words, it felt shameful, and painful to express myself; creating photographs allowed me to be alone with my emotions and express them through composition and color.”
Siaynz was born Alan Saenz Nores in Denver, Colorado on October 6th 1998 to immigrant parents from Mexico. Like many before them, they had come to the United States in search of a better life. However, tragedy struck when Alan was only six years old. His father was murdered, leaving his mother to raise three boys on her own - Alan and his two younger brothers.
“Growing up without a father was for a long time something that gnawed at my subconscious, it plagued my life with pain, the love that i had experienced in my early childhood felt like it was gone. I had build up walls, that left me in isolation.”
From an early age, Siaynz was drawn to the world of creativity and expression. He found solace in art, using it as a means of escape and as a way to make sense of the world around him. As he grew older, he honed his craft and began to experiment with different styles and mediums.
Siaynz as a young boy, did not realize the gravity of growing up without a paternal presence, and so he was forced to figure things out on his own. Fortunately, he was led by the love and support of his mother.
DRIVEN
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Pushing myself mentally, had taken its toll, living in isolation, I began to question my sanity.
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Time away from the people I loved, allowed me to explore the compassion necessary to have love for myself.
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The world around me had grown larger, no longer was i confined to what i knew, i was face to face with the unraveling of reality
EXPRESSION
Undoubtedly ambitious, Siaynz was fully aware that achieving his goals would require not only talent but also patience. He understood that stumbling and confronting his own fears and mortality was necessary to overcome them and reach the other side of fear.
He firmly believed that improving his craft would take him where he wanted to be. Siaynz' journey led him to rediscover the young boy who dreamed of capturing the timeless beauty of nature, exploring and pushing limits, emphasizing the importance of design, the human ability to reveal beauty, and the satisfaction of overcoming physical challenges.
Peace of mind so long gone,
the heart no longer wants,
the time has passed,
the mind rests,
peace of mind creates at last.
FRONTIER
Siaynz knew that every creation would reflect a piece of his soul by transforming the intangible into something tangible. Each work served as a roadmap of his journey, providing a glimpse of the path that led him to where he is today.
Holding on to beliefs meant being detached from the present reality, forfeiting the ability to uncover new ways of living, and understanding new ways of thinking.
What inspired you to pursue photography as a career, and how has your style evolved over the years?
Photography was a natural extension of myself, ever since i lay my hands on a smartphone, it became another creative outlet, one that introduced me into the arts in a way that no other form or medium has, it was a talent that i nurtured, one that allowed me to block out the negativity, it made me feel comfortable in my own skin and less like an outcast to my peers, I ran with it and allowed it to take me on an incredible journey. It was never really a decision until I was 7 years in when I thought to myself, “It’s time to take this art thing serious”
I’ve never been afraid to push stylistic elements in my work, I think over the years it’s been more about accepting that there is no right or wrong way to approach a image but trusting my intuition and going based off of that, which allows me to feel confident in whatever style I take regardless of external opinions.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from idea to final product?
It boils down to allowing myself to just start, that could be picking up my camera and pointing it around the studio to get the creative flow going, listening to music, dancing or watching a film allows me to create in the most basic sense; making mood boards, talking to other creatives to get inspiration, or simply going out for a walk to think and wonder.
The creative process has evolved into lots of moving parts, from actually going out and walking the streets to get photographs to curating and editing, i tend to follow my intuition in hopes that what i create resonates with others, following my intuition is the most raw and authentic root for my creative endeavors.
What do you hope to communicate or evoke through your photographs?
For me these photographs represent a genesis in creativity and whats possible with art, its a space that allowed me to be comfortable with who i am, and an avenue that gave me purpose so i hope it inspires others to be comfortable with themselves and explore their creativity and the possibilities that art opens up.
Heart of gold,
look into the eyes of life,
to find the peace inside,
create a whole new life,
no longer live in strife,
create to fight for life
“Walking the span of the bridge and seeing its grand scale, floating. high above the ocean I couldn’t help but to be in awe, Ive always had a fascination with suspension bridges; being able to touch the cables and feel its tension I felt its immense power.”
The sheer weight and power of the bridge filled Siaynz with a sense of empowerment, he marveled at the way it could carry so much weight and still stand strong. This experience sparked his imagination and inspired him to use his talents to create bridges of his own - not just between physical locations, but between people and ideas.
Siaynz had always been fascinated by the power of structures and their ability to connect people and places. That’s where his travels to led him to San Francisco, where he would explore and uncover unimaginable works of the present day history. While walking across The Golden Gate, he was struck by its majestic presence and began to see it as more than just a means of transportation. To him, the bridge was like a portal, straight out of a movie, bringing together two different worlds - the living and the dead.
SOLITUDE
The journey away from home was one that brought on immense solitude for Alan. Living in his car, cold and uncomfortable nights where commonplace. However, the reality of his life was rich in experience as he saw the world from his humble abode. The world was open for the taking, and he saw himself living among all walks of life, not just contained within a certain class or lifestyle.
“I understood that stumbling, facing my own fears and mortality, was necessary to reach the other side of fear.”
DREAMS
“The work I had conceived was the result of fear, sadness, and anguish, each photograph looked to create a reality that allowed me to run from my emotions, while simultaneously putting me face to face with them by creating a new reality.”
I had seen far too many times the people around me give up on their dreams, seeing people just accept what was handed to them is the biggest driving force as to why i create, to inspire people to be bold and crazy enough to dream a dream unseen and misunderstood by others.
Through his art, Siaynz challenged conventional thinking and encouraged others to see the world in a new and exciting way. His work spoke to people on a deep and emotional level, inspiring them to push beyond their limits and to embrace their own sense of empowerment.
NIGHTCRAWLER
Each piece of peace,
a soul to rest the mind connects,
close to fear the heart rejects,
a plight to light at midnights rest,
a mended heart love reflects.
Late at night lights were watching over the city
“For me, risk wasn’t something that could be calculated or measured, it was simply a way of life. It enabled me to push myself beyond the limits of what was considered permissible, allowing me to experience a genuine sense of freedom.”
San Antonio was the place where i first began to take photography seriously as an art, dedicating the time to learn the craft.
How do you handle creative blocks or periods of lack of inspiration? Are there any strategies or techniques you use to overcome them?
Its important to understand that lack of inspiration is part of the creative process, it helps me be patient, I understand that luls allow me to be mindful and purposeful about the inspiration i seek, i tend to grasp films, every day occurrances in particular as. well do i find remedy in the nuances of other human beings. Looking around my environment i can find a direction or pull naturally, its a constant search for a gravitational pull.
I think its important to remain enamored with all parts of the creative process, even when we want to critisize ourselves as creatives, the promise to celebrate creativity remains a fruitful reminder that there is beauty even in the days that we cant seem to find it.
I’ll look to understand the different emotionss i feel in moments in my life and draw upon those feelings, life allows us to experience a number of emotions, and these emotions guide us, and allow us to see a reality that reciprocates a response in our perception of our reality. Fundamentally a creative block serves as a foundation like that of a home or a sky-scrapper.
How do you balance the artistic side of your work with the business side, such as marketing and selling your artwork?
When I first embarked on my photography journey, every aspect of capturing an image became a form of practice. It allowed me to move without fear, solely focused on the creative process. For years, my passion for photography was all-consuming; I hardly spared a thought for the business side of this art. I was utterly enthralled by the images themselves, constantly seeking to create and delve deeper into the practice.
I absorbed everything I could, eager to learn the intricacies of editing, mastering color grading, refining composition, experimenting with various types of exposures, exploring different lenses, subjects, styles, and techniques.
It wasn't until the birth of my daughter that I began to view my passion as a viable business opportunity. I realized the potential for sustainability in my work and was determined to see it come to fruition. Building a business wasn't just a choice; it was a necessity. For one, it offered me the creative freedom of an independent artist, allowing me to express myself without constraints. Additionally, it provided a means to support my family.
The transition from art to business was never a question of 'how' but 'when.' Every step along the way has been a valuable learning experience. I've come to understand that patience is a crucial ingredient, and greatness takes time to develop. This inaugural album stands as a testament to my dedication to the art. It took over a decade of unwavering focus on my craft to compile and share this body of work with the world.
I'm continuously learning and taking things one step at a time. It's essential to trust in my vision. I've already achieved a measure of success; this project, to me, is a significant achievement, and sharing it is a victory in itself. Anything beyond this is simply a bonus."
How does your photography allow you to express your inner thoughts, emotions, or personal experiences? In what ways do you use your art as a form of self-expression and catharsis?
I believe it happens organically; the tools, whether it's the mood board, the camera, or the editing process, all become an extension of who I am in the moment. If I'm feeling a certain way on a particular day, it influences every aspect of the image I'm creating. From the editing techniques to the composition and even the camera settings, it's akin to a songwriter crafting a song that matches their mood. In photography, it's the colors, the subjects, and the elements within the frame that convey these emotions. Capturing an image enables my eyes to speak for me, allowing me to communicate with my audience in a way that goes beyond spoken or written words.
With this album, there were numerous moments when I felt profoundly alone and struggled to cope with the pain. It was a period of hopelessness, marked by uncertainty about my place in life. I hadn't followed the conventional path of college or a traditional career, and I found myself in a dark phase of exploration, where my actions had little direction. I was essentially wandering, attempting to decipher where I fit in this vast world.
When I embarked on my artistic journey, I left behind all preconceived notions about myself. It's natural for others to doubt your pursuit of art—'Art? That's absurd!' Especially where I come from, immigrant parents from small towns in Mexico people tend to opt for what's safe and known. At one point, I even considered pursuing real estate; I had obtained my license, and everyone was supportive of that choice. In hindsight, that experience has provided me with valuable insights into different aspects of business. However, when I redirected my focus from real estate to art, I witnessed a remarkable shift in how those around me perceived me and my aspirations.
When it feels like there's no outlet, I discover solace in venturing out to explore the world while capturing it through my lens. This act, in itself, becomes a means to process negative or restless emotions. It's like dancing; it's the movement within the art that provides release. Sometimes, it's not feasible to express certain ideas, thoughts, or plans verbally. Therefore, uncovering and exploring these truths through sight, whether in the day or night, the studio, by myself or with a subject creates a language that allows my soul to communicate.