Today we’d like to introduce you to Norma Hill.
Native New Yorker, Norma, began her photographic journey more than four decades ago. After graduating from Bard College, her love and involvement in the arts drew her to her first job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Her unique approach and perspective landed her a job photographing art and architecture in Europe and the Middle East. In the late 1970’s she settled in Paris where she studied darkroom techniques and learned the art of hand painting black and white photographs using oil paint.
After returning to New York, she studied Polaroid transfer techniques at the International Center of Photography in New York City. Subsequently, she was one of just six artists in the world chosen to be a creative consultant to Polaroid.
Her photo exhibitions have been featured at Christie’s in NY, the French Institute, the National Arts Club in NYC, Gallery Solferino in Milan, the Edwin A. Ulrich Museum, the New York Public Library, Studio 54, and many other renowned venues. Her work has also been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Newsday, Better Homes and Gardens, and Modern Photography. She also produced and starred in her own cable television show, entitled “Focus on Photography”.
While growing her career, Norma worked behind the scenes with a group of fellow artists called ‘The 6 of Us’. Together through the Interfaith Nutrition Network, they raised funds to help feed the homeless and provide them with shelter and social services. In 2009, Norma relocated to San Diego where she continues to create art and dedicate herself to humanitarian efforts.
Norma Hill Designs Is Born
Upon first arriving in Southern California, Norma took part in “Art Meets Fashion,” a fashion show benefitting at-risk children. Using digital technology Norma found a way to transfer her art onto fabric to create a one of a kind piece for the event. It was then that she realized transferring her images to create textiles for fashion would allow her to share her talent on a much broader scale and Norma Hill Designs was born.
Once limited to gallery prints, her art is now available to the masses where it has greater potential to influence, motivate, and empower others.
Fashion4Change
Her life-long desire to give back and her love of art and fashion led her to create Fashion4Change, an organization that works primarily with non-profits dedicated to making positive change in the world. She saw that her fashion could be a powerful vehicle to benefit the causes she cares deeply about.
Please tell us about your art.
My art has been an expression of my interaction in the world, the way I see and feel. It’s also been a fabrication of my dreams and intentions, I use photography as a base and then elaborate on that with other mediums like pastels, watercolors, and collage.
I don’t know why I’m an artist but I just feel that I’m driven to do what I do. I try to be uplifting in my work and supportive of people in need or just people in general who are tackling life challenges (like us all). I try to be inclusive of many cultures in one to help promote harmony and peace.
In printing on fabric I realized I could create fashion pieces from my work which could be more prevalent in the world rather than on a gallery wall. I love the idea of sharing it with people in an intimate way covering their bodies with soft wonderful materials and colorful images to brighten the day.
I love collaborating with causes to create pieces to help contribute to solutions. Whether it’s a grandmother wearing her grandkids images in a scarf or for sale at a gala for a charity I get satisfaction out of creating meaningful pieces to remind people of their loved ones or their goals and ideals. I often print nature in images because I find solace there. I photograph architecture and details that are inspiring in my travels. I also love using found objects in my work like window frames or pieces of wood.
I love doing custom pieces because it allows me to work on a more personal level with my clients.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
For me as an artist I think success is being able to express what I see, feel and think in my work and arrange it in a way that communicates and touches others. So I think it’s about connection to oneself and to the community. To me it’s also about somehow making things a little better, a little brighter and more colorful and palatable for people who are interested in my pieces.
Although I don’t feel like being a successful artist is being successful financially because I don’t feel like other people’s approval and taste should determine what one creates. Oftentimes artists are not particularly liked in their lifetime and yet perceived as geniuses at a later time. So I feel that a successful artist is one that does art without judgement, someone who produces art. It’s not about reaching a level that’s predetermined by other people, it’s just about creating one’s own vision.
I don’t think there’s a universal truth to being a successful artist. I think it’s something that everyone determines or experiences within themselves. I would say though that I don’t feel that the arts are supported well in this country and it is essential to find the time and give oneself the luxury of doing art for some period of time in one’s day or week or month so they don’t lose sight of their desire to express themselves and bring their light to the world.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Norma Hill Art Studio
This summer Norma has opened a new studio available by appointment only for private or group visitors. It is a wonderful ocean-view location at the Leichtag Ranch.
500 Ecke Ranch Road, Encinitas, CA 92024
Follow Norma Hill on social media to be the first to know about parties and special events at the studio or her participation in events around San Diego. Norma’s products are carried at some local museums and she can often be found at local charitable events where a portion of her proceeds will go to support a worthy cause.
Subscribe to Norma Hill’s newsletter for discounts, special invites and more! For example, every month Norma features a scarf of the month which will be available for $15 Off the regular price.
Norma also offers custom creations for those who are looking to give an extra special gift for any occasion. Norma will work in personal photos or other special features into a scarf, pillow or other pieces to make one of a kind gifts that dazzle the recipients. Contact Norma to discuss your piece and she will provide a quote.
Norma Hill’s fashion pieces are also sold at Art and Soul in Encinitas and Museum of Photographic Art (MOPA) in Balboa Park.
Contact Info:
- Address: Norma Hill Art Studio
500 Ecke Ranch Road, Encinitas, CA 92024
By Appointment Only - Website: https://normahill.com
- Phone: 516-659-2297
- Email: info@normahill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normahilldesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NormaHillDesigns/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/normahilldesign/
Image Credit:
Some photos were taken by Norma, the fashion photos were taken by Scott Chebegia.
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