Mossball
by Don Hamerman
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Hello beloved collectors. This fine Friday I bring you an interview with denizen photographer Don Hamerman.

Has participating in 20x200 helped your art career?
Where do I start?!
My association with 20x200 has helped me put my work in front of countless collectors and those who keep an eye on the art world. I'm hoping to connect with more gallerists and collectors in the coming year.

Any good news for the new year?
In April, one of my baseball images will appear as the cover art for an autobiography by a former player and current broadcaster. What is especially gratifying about this, is that the book's designer is a 20x200 fan and collector who discovered my work through my first 20x200 edition last year. If it wasn't for my association with 20x200, he never would have known about me.

How did you become involved with 20x200?
I'd heard of Jen, and approached her last winter when a slideshow of my images appeared on the blog, Design Observer. Having my fingers tightly crossed must have worked because Jen responded, and before I knew it I'd sold out two small editions in one day. Amazing.
I feel so lucky, and thankful to Jen Bekman.

Stricken
by Don Hamerman
Buy one now

How important is it to you to keep art affordable?
Essential for me. It's nice knowing that through 20x200 my pieces have made it onto the walls of several hundred new collectors.

Do you collect art?
I'm not a collector, per se, but I do have a few prints by some legends: Harry Callahan, André Kertész and Berenice Abbott. All of them came into my hands through a weird combination of luck and the inexperience of some thrift store owners.

Any 20x200 favorites?
I have respect for anyone who pursues their vision with conviction and dedication.

© Don Hamerman

What are you working on?
I'm continuing to photograph more baseballs, as odd as that may be, and I am exploring several other ideas. I spend most of my time on the commercial side of my photo life, but would love to invert that ratio: work on art, take the occasional commercial shoot.

How did you become interested in photographing baseballs?
Well, it started when my family decided that we needed a dog. I was not convinced, but I was outvoted. I soon found myself walking our pup through a nearby park where, over a couple of years, I'd find these baseballs.
They accumulated in my studio and I would occasionally explore techniques of shooting them until finally I settled on an approach and began the series. Almost all of my commercial work is shot on location, so having a project which I can work on without travel is a treat.

If I were to walk in your studio right now, what is the first thing I'd notice?
Many found baseballs, and many piles of prints, brochures, tearsheets and just stuff that I'm going to clean up "any day now".

When did you decide to be an artist?
After college I worked as an administrative assistant; after 3 months I left and began life as a photographer.

What were you first drawn to photograph?
Portraits

Can you remember your first photograph?
Yes, it was taken in the 4th grade with my Kodak Instamatic.

What did you make a photo of?
A dusting of snow on our lawn.

If you could live anywhere...?
This week, I would like to live anywhere where it is 75 degrees and sunny. Austin? The perfect formula would be summer on the coast of Maine (or the south of France) and winter somewhere closer to the Equator.

© Don Hamerman

Describe an ideal day:
Let's go back to that idea of 75 degrees and sunny, then throw in a blank calendar. No agenda, free to work in my studio or a walk on the beach or a day knocking around New York City.

Aisle or window?
Aisle, exit row

Walk or bike?
Walk

Favorite color combination?
Black and white

Number of minutes spent on the internet a day?
Too many

Pet peeve?
Involves cellphones...

Last dessert you enjoyed?
Apple and dried cherry galette with warm caramel sauce

Lastly, if you didn't make photographs what would you make?
Pizza

Bravissimo!
Don's 20x200 edition prints:
Hemi
Mossball
Stricken
Untitled (Elephant)

Don's website
Don's blog