Toni Toscano
Skyline 3-1, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Describe your artistic style in three words.
Nostalgic, dreamy, impressionistic.
What's inspiring you right now?
Being cooped up really makes my brain run wild with ideas. I’ve found a lot of inspiration in the monotony of the past few months, finding new ways to photograph the same subjects while being mostly confined to one city. I’ve also found a lot of inspiration in the collective raw emotions that have surfaced over this year. My latest series Skyline reflects that – I feel a vast array of emotions captured in those photographs over the course of quarantine.
What do you do when you're feeling uninspired?
When I'm looking to generate new ideas, I look to other artists. This is where Instagram is such an asset. I intentionally follow people and hashtags that excite me. I'll see a painter, a poet or another photographer creating something I love and it will typically ignite ideas on how I can deepen my work or push it in a new direction.
Tell us something unique about your process.
I intentionally introduce movement to a scene by moving the camera itself. I try to find a sweet spot between completely abstracting a scene and leaving enough detail so it is recognizable. I’ve found that introducing movement brings an added dimension of emotion.
What advice do you have for other artists?
Lean into others doing similar work as you and build a community, there is room for everyone and there is so much to learn. Lastly just keep doing the things that bring you joy.
Anything else you’d like to share?
The Skyline series ran as a virtual self-guided gallery during Austin Studio Tour. A virtual Google Earth version of the gallery is still available to view. Instructions are available on my website at tonitoscano.com/skyline. You’ll be able to fly to the different gallery stops and view photographs taken at each specific location.
Lastly, thank you Big Medium and the amazing Austin art community. I'm so grateful to live in a city with so much creativity.
Skyline 6-3, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Skyline 7-3, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Skyline 11-4, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Skyline 12-1, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Skyline 2-1, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Skyline 9-9, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Skyline 8-2, 2020, Photography, 12 x 16”
Skyline 6-1, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Skyline 1-3, 2020, Photography, 12 x 18”
Toni Toscano is a photographer living in Austin, Texas. Her work is inspired by themes of nostalgia and delight. She has practiced photography for most of her life and recently deepened her practice through education at the Austin School of Photography. Her editorial work has been featured in Tribeza magazine.