Meet Jeanine Michna-Bales | Artist working primarily in the medium of photography

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeanine Michna-Bales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeanine, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After a 20+ year career in advertising, I decided to turn my attention to photography and become a full-time artist a little over a decade ago. I wanted to work on projects that were socially engaged with the ultimate goal of starting conversations on the topics that I have chosen to photograph. My artistic process is heavily research based. And I often spend years doing research before I ever make my first image for my photographic series. The research – often through primary source, historical materials – provides the framework for each project and ultimately becomes an integral component to help create a comprehensive narrative.

I think of my artistic practice as exploring the impact of cornerstone relationships on contemporary society – those relationships between ourselves, others and the land we inhabit. My work lives at the intersection of curiosity and knowledge, documentary and fine art, past and present, anthropology and sociology, and environmentalism and activism.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My research-based artistic practice is expressed through long-term photographic essays. I have explored the darkened stations along the Underground Railroad in “Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad” (2002 – 2016), a campaign trail for women’s votes in “Standing Together: Inez Milholland’s Final Campaign for Women’s Suffrage” (2016 – 2020), long-forgotten nuclear fallout shelters in “Fallout: A Look Back at the Height of the Cold War in America, circa 1960” (2013 – 2022), and the invisible epicenters of environmental turmoil through the project “Terra Fractura: A Visual Survey of Manmade Earthquakes” (2015 – present). Each series is usually shown through exhibitions, a publication, as well as a project website.

I am currently working on a new series about Atomic Veterans: my father was stationed on the lead weather ship during the last round of nuclear tests in the Pacific Proving Grounds in 1961-62. Instead of the research living in the background informing the visuals, some of it will become actual visual components in this new body of work. Although a logical progression, this is a new way of thinking for me. And I am excited to see where it all leads as I continue to work through the project.

Over the years, I have learned by doing which has lead to a lot of knowing “what not to do” while still figuring out what works best. For that reason, I have been sharing some of my knowledge through online webinars and consulting with individuals … hopefully, paying it forward for future artists.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite places in the DFW area are the galleries and museums. I love going to the Design District along Riverfront Boulevard and seeing the latest shows from various artists. I also love the museums: Dallas Contemporary, Irving Arts Center, Amon Carter Museum, Dallas Museum of Art, Ft. Worth Museum of Art and others. Being outdoors and in nature is also amazing: Cedar Hill State Park, Dallas Arboretum and my favorite the Japanese Garden at the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens. Walking along the various paths, feeding the koi, crossing the moon bridge and just taking in the beautiful landscape makes for a wonderful day. No itinerary would be complete without exploring some of the restaurants as well: we have our favorites – from the shed at the Dallas Farmers Market or the Exchange Food Hall downtown where anyone can pick a type of food they are craving to our favorite TexMex/Mexican place Pepe & Mito’s in Deep Ellum that we have been going to forever. We also love to look for restaurants with locally sourced produce and foods like Local in Deep Ellum. Grab a burger at The Lakewood Landing, a beer at Ships and then listen to some jazz at The Balcony Club. And venture over to the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff to browse the shops. Grab some pizza and beers at Eno’s for lunch and then head to Boulevardier for a fabulous dinner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The various photography (PhotoNOLA, FotoFest, Photolucida|Critical Mass, Filter Photo) reviews helped me get my work in front of various industry professionals allowing me to build relationships that formed into gallery representation at PDNB Gallery and Arnika Dawkins Gallery, three photography books, and amazingly written articles on my work. I also wouldn’t be anywhere without the support and encouragement of so many colleagues who have become dear friends including the 4 Cohorts among others. We all regularly jump on the phone and share information, ask questions, and just cheer each other on as we go through the crazy process of making our art.

Website: JMBalesPhotography.com

Instagram: @JMBalesPhotography

Linkedin: @JeanineMichna-Bales

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanineMichnaBales/