Chaotic creativity with an underlying peaceful order that culminates into art with gentle beauty and invites onlookers to connect, to imagine, and remember. This is how I described the photography of Meycy Bailey, a 16-year veteran of SL and this month’s artistic focus. Meycy and I sat down to discuss my description and, to my surprise, not only did she agree with me but much of this is her intention.

I explained, “by chaos, I mean it in the sense organizing disorder if that makes sense.” Meycy agreed, “Yes, the gentle chaos in many of my photos actually is something I do on purpose. Not sure if this will make sense but in a way it’s a reflection of my mind. I tend to find the beauty in the shots that don’t always make sense to everyone else. But when I look at it, I see it. And it does not have to be completely chaotic — just that touch. Kind of like my mind at all times of the day. I have I don’t know how many ideas going through my mind at all times. But it’s a controlled chaos of sorts.” I can certainly identify with a mind full of thoughts and ideas, and I imagine most artists share a similar experience.

Interestingly, Meycy never thought of herself as a creative type, other than with her writing. She says, “Well, funny thing. I never thought of myself as creative other than writing. Then I started taking photos [in SL] and it just opened a door for me I had never explored.” Being exposed to photography artists and the creative music scene in SL helped her find a talent she didn’t even know she had. Meycy adds, “Enjoying other people’s creativity can lead you to opening yours.”

Sharing one’s art is the first step, but creating art that communicates and connects with others is the main test of one’s artistry. “I think what inspires me is time and its seasons. I am always looking to capture those moments in a landscape or even with photos of me where I can maybe make the person looking at it feel something.” Meycy explains. “I’ve had had people tell me one of my photos reminds them of where they grew up, or of even walks with their grandparents as a child. It’s nice hearing those things.” As the American writer, Eudora Welty, said, “A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.” Moreover, an artistic shot is one where others can also stop a moment of their own lives from running away. Meycy continues, “I think what comes through my work is.. Time is fleeting, enjoy even the smallest little moment. There is a little bit of beauty everywhere, if you take the time to look.”

As Meycy said she is an active follower of live music in SL, I suggested that music may play a role in inspiring her photography. She emphatically agreed, “It does, it really does. Sometimes I will be at a sim and come across something, and a song pops into my head.” Music also accompanies Meycy’s actual creation of her art, both in-world and in post-editing. “Music is wonderful inspiration. Or it can just something help you move along and flow.”

One of Meycy’s philosophies is to “keep it simple,” as she writes in her profile. When I asked her where her ideas come from, she said, “That is a tough question. I guess what I tend to do without really thinking Is get into the state of mind of whatever the season is where I am going to. Especially in SL, you have to let your imagination guide you, if that makes sense. Try and feel like you would if you were walking down that winter path.” Meycy imaginatively places herself emotionally and tangibly into the situation she is trying to capture. One may call it mindfulness. She adds, “Even with RL, you have to have that imagination, or ability to let your mind be free.”

As for the technical side of Meycy’s art, she primarily uses PhotoShop and Light Room. I said that two things that stand out for me in her photography is her gentle contrast and her creative blurring. She explained, “Yes, I noticed that [reduced contrast] early on, and at first it was not on purpose. But over the years it has become part of my style, if you want to call it that.”

Lastly, I asked Meycy how she has educated herself about virtual photography and if she had ever received advice from other photographers. She said, “I’ve used a combination of things. Curiosity leads me to watch videos on certain things and I use trial and error a lot of the time.” She continued, “I’ve also received some constructive criticism over the years. that I have followed. My best advice for new photographers is find a subject matter you are passionate about, something that makes you happy, and just take a photo of it.” Excellent advice!

^{– Angela Thespian}