ARTIST PROJECTS
Artist Project - Sutton Collection 2022
Patricia A. M. Ingram
Master Photographer, CPP
Objective
My goal is to create a photographic body of work that expresses to the viewer my love of the
beauty and wonder of domestic life, the intimacy of motherhood, the relationship of
a mother with her children, and the authenticity of their love for one another.
The Story behind the Sutton Collection Artist Project
This artist project began with a self-assignment portrait session in 2005. Through a mutual friend, I met a young Mom who agreed to pose for me with her young son. The image you see to the right is my favorite from this session, and is the first portrait in the Sutton Collection. I love seeing the Mom’s tender, gentle love for her son, and his trusting, comfortable love for her. You’ll note the soft drape of the elegant fabric swathed around the Mom, and the rugged little boy’s blue jeans, bare chest and feet. You’ll also notice the beautiful play of light on their skin, and on their clothing. The process of designing and photographing this portrait captivated my heart, and ever since I have been in pursuit of opportunities to showcase these ideals of maternal love and care.
My Mom died in May of 2019 at the age of 95. I miss her every day. I've been going through many of her black and white portraits and candid photographs. What I have discovered is the lovely winsomeness of the women of her generation as they tended to life, and to their children during the 1950's, ’60's and ’70's. The Sutton Collection is giving me the wonderful avenue to photographically honor the memory of my Mom and her sisters, who grew up as little ones during the Great Depression. They bloomed into young womanhood in the 1940's. Their era was one of beauty, grace, and grit, as they purposed to be the best wives, and mothers they could be in the face of the terrors, and the aftermath of World War II. The Sutton Collection also pays tribute to to my grandparents, Sarah and Harold Sutton, who together successfully raised their five children through the 1920's - 1950's in the outskirts of Washington, DC.
I have designed the Sutton Collection in my Artist Project Series specifically for me to be able to demonstrate my appreciation for these women in my life, and my vision of them through the creation of gorgeous portraits of a Mom and her child or children.
The theme of the "Sutton Collection:"
The Mom is dressed in beautiful evening attire.
Young children will be dressed casually, bare feet, blue jeans, dark tops, for example.
More mature children will dress in keeping with their ages and style.
I am using incredibly handsome artist backgrounds, purchased exclusively for my use in this specific Collection. I may retire the backgrounds once I have completed a limited number of portraits, achieving my goal and satisfying my artistic vision. This limited edition Collection will include approximately 10 participants.
My plan is to have my "Sutton Collection" project culminate in an Exhibit of the images. Hopefully we will be able to have the Exhibit towards the end of 2022.
As my "thank you" to you for being a participant in my
Artist Project "The Sutton Collection"
I waive the following:
Professional Portrait Photography Session
(Including in-person professional portrait consultation)
$500 value
Professional Hair and Makeup
Your hair and makeup will be designed and tailored to you
so you photograph beautifully for this Collection.
$150
Each participant will receive a $300 credit toward the purchase of any of the exquisite portrait products chosen exclusively for the "Sutton Collection."
We will schedule your Reveal and Ordering Meeting at which time I will show you the "best of the best" images I will have curated for you from your portrait session. I will work with you to help you decide which images you wish to purchase for display in your home.
A typical participant investment for these sessions is $2,500 or more.
Each purchased wall portrait will be distinctively framed in close collaboration with Mr. Mark Rengers, owner and custom frame designer
of The Sewickley Gallery and Frame Shop. Mark has 25 years of experience in the art world and in framing. Mark and I will select frames to beautifully support the stylistic and artful elements I have incorporated and applied in my design of your Sutton Collection portrait.
Thank you for your interest in my project. Welcome to "The Sutton Collection."
-- Patricia A. M. Ingram