Jamie Baldridge always has seen stories in his images.
In this week’s Masters of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition, Baldridge gives people a glimpse into the stories in his imagination through his exhibit, “The Everywhere Chronicles” on display in Foster Hall.
Baldridge will receive his Master of Fine Arts in May, and he has been working on the displayed pieces for a year and a half.
“It’s an extended metaphor,” Baldridge said of the chronicles, which tell stories he has been writing and sketching for years.
Baldridge said his pieces are digitally-rendered, meaning he took photographs and used software programs to alter them.
Some might find Baldridge’s images bizarre, he said, because many of the photograph subjects are nude and in unusual positions and settings.
The series features realistic images in fantasy situations.
“A lot of the models [in the photographs] are friends of mine,” Baldridge said.
He took some of the photographs recently, while he has had others for years.
“I did nudes exclusively for seven years, so I had a lot of material to work with,” Baldridge said.
Baldridge said he wanted a diverse group of people in his photographs, so he looks for an “interesting, everyman look” in his models.
For Baldridge, inspiration comes from literature. He said stories by authors such as C.S. Lewis help him envision his photographs.
Baldridge has had two solo shows in Baton Rouge and has participated in about 25 groups shows, he said.
Though he lives in New Orleans, Baldridge said Baton Rouge has been an ideal place to grow as an artist.
“Baton Rouge has been a haven for traditional art,” Baldridge said. “There are so many artists here breaking the mold.”
After Baldridge had a show at the University a few years ago, he decided to come here and get his master’s degree.
Baldridge said he has decided to be a teacher because he has enjoyed teaching classes while working on his degree.
“I have applied to several universities for teaching jobs,” Baldridge said.
He said he would like to teach digital photography as it applies to fine arts, a subject he says the University is lacking.
In addition to teaching , Baldridge dreams of a career in movies.
“I would really love to do my own films,” he said.
The images will be on display in the School of Art Gallery in 111 Foster Hall for the rest of the week, ending with a reception Friday night.