|
THE ARTIST
Jason Pirtle grew up in Indianola, Iowa, and graduated from Indianola High School in 1991. After which he attended Southwest Missouri State receiving a bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis in photography. He then began his career in Kansas City with a large greeting card company as a photographer's assistant. Jason began doing work where he assisted over forty different photographers and worked on television commercials, as well as movies. In 2004 he returned to Des Moines where he started a commercial photography business working with local businesses and advertising agencies.
 HIS PHOTOGRAPHY
“I would describe my work as documentary. I like photographing people, places and things that are not set up for the camera. I would like to think that my photos are truthful. In an age of reality TV, in which I am not a big believer, and Photoshop, it is hard to believe what you see. I would like the viewer to know that all of my fine art images have not been altered by computer or any other means,” Jason explained.
Jason's work was exhibited at the Fitch Gallery in December, held in conjunction with the Fitch Artists' Open Studio Night. He uniquely arranged a "lodge set" where he encouraged his visitors to create scenes using props of coffee cups, Hamms beer, and a Clue boardgame, offering a playful and interactive element to the open studio experience.
Jason has exhibited his work in the Midwest and works mostly on a commercial and commission basis. His photography has been collected both privately and in the corporate sector.
 INFLUENCES
Creatively Jason has been influenced by many of the photographers whom he assisted years ago. “Steve Wilson and Ron Berg were two photographers that had a drive for photography like I have never seen. To work with them was very inspiring,” said Jason.
“Everyday people inspire me the most. I like to photograph people that don't know how to be anything but themselves. What you see is what you get, that is where the strength of the image comes from.”
 IN THE COMMUNITY
Jason is active in the community and with Metro Arts Alliance. “As soon as I moved to Des Moines, I joined Metro Arts. I gave a photography workshop to 4 th and 5 th graders at Jensen Elementary School and found it to be a wonderful experience! I look forward to more opportunities working with Metro Arts. Currently, I volunteer my photography skills to the Iowa Barn Foundation,” shared Jason.
LOCATE JASON
Jason is currently working on an exhibition that is in the beginning stages. To view more of Jason's photography, visit his website at www.jasonpirtle.com. Jason welcomes interested individuals to visit his studio by appointment to view more of his work.
 CONTACT
Jason Pirtle
304 15 th Street, Box 212
Des Moines, IA 50309
Studio: 515.244.7722
Cell: 816.665.3424
www.jasonpirtle.com
|