Jilaena Wolf's images capture a haunting desolation that truly screams Wyoming. We at Bedlam have never seen anyone, professional or amateur, who captures that specific mood with photography as well as she can. We proudly present a small sampling of her work as well as a brief but personal interview. Keep an eye on this one, Bedlamites!

Bedlam Publishing: Ok, let's start at the begining, where were you born and where else have you lived?

Jilaena:
Everywhere! I was born in Key West, Florida, a Navy Brat and from there it was California, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Idaho, Alabama, Maryland, Texas, Oklahoma and finally, Wyoming when I was 21.

Bedlam:
How did you end up in Wyoming?

Jilaena:
I was a rock climber back before it was so cool to be one. I went to the rock climbing gym in Denver almost every day. One day, on their bulletin board, they posted that there was a rock climbing festival in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. So in the midst of a breakup with then boyfriend, I went. I fell in love with that area immediately. The mushrooms I tried during my stay may have helped put things in perspective too *wink*.

Bedlam:
How would you describe your childhood: was it average, chaotic, boring, different?

Jilaena:
It was insane. I spent most of my teens in and out of juvenile detention centers and foster home/group homes. That may sound like a sad story at first but I learned a lot of interesting things. I can make friends with anyone, spot a dangerous situation a mile away. This too gave me perspective, a lot of kids have it bad - I really didn't.

Bedlam:
What were your parents like: did they encourage you as an artist, try to stifle it, or were they completely indifferent to it?

Jilaena:
My Dad was always really supportive of whatever I was doing. Whatever class, sport, or dream I came up with at the moment he would hear me out and tell me my options. My mom is too pragmatic to be encouraging you in any direction that may require you living in a trailer park waiting tables.

Bedlam:
When did you first fall in love with photography: was it a specific moment or something that just developed over time?

Jilaena:
I got my first camera when I was nine. Some hot pink 35mm. I took more pictures than we could ever afford to process. Funny you should ask, I was reading my diary from when I was 13 years old a few months ago and came across a page where I had narrowed down my careers to: writer, photographer, doctor, archeologist. I have been a newspaper reporter, am an avid photographer and am pursuing my nursing degree. As for archeology, I just watch the History Channel.

Bedlam:
Did you receive any special training or take any classes to improve your photography or does it just come naturally?

Jilaena:
Totally self taught, save for the information I glean from fellow photographers.

Bedlam:
We also notice that you have a busy family life; how do find the time to take pictures?

Jilaena:
I rarely do. Between, school, garden, a fifteen-year-old and twin toddlers, I usually fall into bed. In fact, I am answering these Q's from bed, all bleary eyed.

Bedlam:
Does having a family hinder your work as an artist or have you found a way to find inspiration from it?

Jilaena:
That is why photography is so sacred to me. It is when I need a little "me time" that I go out and shoot. Some women take a long bath with candles, I go to junk yards and crawl through deserted houses, trying to find the right shutter speed. To each his own I guess.

Bedlam:
As an artist, how do you measure success, and do you think you have or have not achieved it yet?

Jilaena:
Since I mostly shoot as therapy, for myself, I am always super surprised and gleeful when people comment, want to publish or even purchase my prints. I believe there is a huge margin for improvement in pictures. I know I can do better. I just need more tricks in my bag. It's exciting to think about what I may shoot five years from now.

Success to me would be to have a gallery show - packed! And to hear people relating to my photos as I walk around - preferably incognito.

Visit Jilaena's Red Dirt Photography!
jilaena.smugmug.com