Thea Villaseñor
Photographer
Artist Statement
The photograph represents the first recording of a moment, and its historical significance has always fascinated me. I am captivated by the magic of photography; it captures the essence of a moment, transforming a moment into a lasting memory. It allows us to reflect on our past and envision our future.
I have always loved history, and when I stumbled upon an old photograph at a flea market—featuring people I didn’t know from a distant time—I was captivated. It made me realize that I can capture our moments in time. Seeing the past in the present was like time travel.
During college, I lived next to a cemetery, and as I walked to class, I was greeted by the headstones that dotted the cemetery lawn. Who were these people, and what significance did my presence have for them? I began photographing the cemetery and others I encountered during my travels. Though I wasn’t sure what I would do with the images, I felt compelled to document the strange decay of these final resting places for so many.
I worked with alternative photographic processes alongside my darkroom work, and my interest in traditional techniques continued to grow. Black-and-white darkroom work is challenging, and over time, it has become increasingly difficult to find access to a darkroom. When digital cameras were introduced, I didn't embrace them until about ten years ago. Eventually, I recognized that color photography had a place in my life, and I began to notice the vibrant colors in cemeteries. Now, I appreciate the rich colors and textures in my photography. My process involves both digital photography and alternative photographic techniques, such as cyanotype.
Artist Bio
Thea Villaseñor was born in Los Angeles in the early 1970s and spent much of her adolescence in Salem, Oregon. She currently resides in a quiet neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, with her family.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Visual Design with a focus on photography from the University of Oregon, where she studied under Professor Dan Powell and Professor Terri Warpinski. Her specialties include alternative photographic processes and darkroom work, and she has found mixed media particularly captivating since studying with Professor Margaret Prentice at U of O. Additionally, Thea participated in a seven-day photographic workshop in Eastern Oregon led by Professor Terri Warpinski.
During and after college, Thea had several exhibitions. More recently, she showcased her work in a studio show in May 2024 and was the featured artist with her mixed-media prints at Potted in Portland in June 2024.
Thea developed a love for photography as a child while exploring old photos found at garage sales with her parents. She became curious about the stories behind the images and the people captured in them. Her interest in history has significantly influenced her artistic style and the subjects she photographs and designs. Thea is passionate about recording history through a visual medium and utilizing processes that date back 150 years.
Her work represents a blend of history, culture, antique processes, and contemporary influences. She was also the featured artist with her mixed-media prints in June of 2024 at Potted in Portland.
Thea’s work is a direct accumulation of history, culture, antique processes, and a dash of contemporary influences.