There are way too many talented people living in and working in Jersey City, it’s almost astounding to me. Victoria Miritello is an abstract art photographer, and she is the first female photo I interviewed for ChicpeaJC. I know there are many others!! Victoria’s photos look like they are paintings, she is extremely talented. I invited her to come to ChicpeaJCHQ for a chat a few months ago, and what I particularly love about her is how enthusiastic she is about her work.

Victoria is not only an artist, she is an entrepreneur. She thinks outside of the box and figured out how to make her passion her business.

What’s your name?

Victoria Miritello.

What do you do?

I’m a photographer and entrepreneur.

Let’s talk about photography. What kind of photographer are you?

A black-and-white abstract art photographer.

So that’s new to me. I’m used to working with photographers who do portraits and street style. Can you expand on your abstract photography?

I have had an art background my whole life and always loved photography.  I have always worked in black and white, and it is what I gravitate towards the most.  I call it “art photography” because my work is both a photograph, and an abstract art piece.

In art, everything’s correct. 

Very true. I like to use the photography as a medium and let my abstract eye take over the rest.

How long have you been doing it?

About 9 years now.

How did you get into it?

My high school art teacher was my biggest influence when I got started. We had a great relationship and she said one thing that stuck with me when I was trying to look for inspiration. She said: “what keeps you up at night?” I still go back to that sentence whenever I am in a rut about what to shoot.

What was the answer?

I think the answer is always different, because as humans, we are always changing-the mind is a crazy thing. When she said, “What keeps you up at night?” it really hit home that inspiration can come from anywhere, and any place inside you.

So what do you photograph?

I like to take photographs of everyday, ordinary things that people constantly see and I focus on the finite details, and make those details into an unrecognizable abstract piece, almost like creating a texture.  Some are usually puzzling to the eye. Like this photograph.

How many times do you see a log? How many times do you see a tree? How many times do you see a tree trunk? I focus on the details of the trunk, zoom in and crop it at an angle that my eye finds desirable- I don’t really see a tree trunk in that photograph right off the bat. It makes you really think about the subject matter that is in front of you and make use of your imagination.  We both viewed that image as something different than what it actually is, which is exactly what I want.

What inspires you?

Anything. It’s so cheesy and I hate saying it, but inspiration is everywhere. It’s the truth. I absolutely love different textures, and am really inspired by them.  For example, I walked by a construction site a couple of days ago. I found it completely interesting, and easily found tons different angles and textures that would create so much depth into an abstract series.  It’s just all about shadow/light and texture for me.  A demolition site is something that most people would not think twice about when walking by.

Are you from Jersey City?

I’m not.

How long have you been here?

Three years.

Where did you come from?

I am from Long Island, moved to Jersey City when I graduated College, and I’ve been in the Heights ever since.

How did you end up here?

I knew I wanted to move out of my parents house when I graduated college, and some of my girlfriends had mentioned Hoboken. I wanted to be out on my own, and Hoboken is an awesome spot. The Heights is great because you can get so much bang for your buck, and it is a completely different vibe from Hoboken but still very close. The Height’s such a hidden gem. It’s fantastic. There’s so much space, cool people and you’re in the heart of everything.

Do you have a favorite Jersey City hangout spot?

I’m a huge homebody, but Renato’s Pizza Master is my jam – I call them two to three times a week! The baked ziti is phenomenal, and their dressing for their house salad is a staple. Even just their cheese pie, the sauce is delicious. And the chicken focaccia!  I could go on…you cannot get a bad meal there.

I love it! Now you’re making me hungry. 

So where do you show your art?

I have an installation in Base Gym in Downtown. I have about 16 pieces up there for sale. I’m selling my prints in Feena Boutique and also in the Washington General Store in Hoboken. I’ve shown in Merseles Studios and LITM and spots in NYC and Brooklyn. My most recent show was at Jersey City City Hall.

And you’re an entrepreneur, too?

I say entrepreneur because even though I am pursuing my art dream, it is still a business. I quit my corporate fashion job to pursue my photography full-time, so as much as I love art and creating, I still have to make a living.

Do you do commissions?

For sure. The main goal, really, is to get in lobby buildings and apartment buildings, for my art to be used as interior decor. My abstract prints translate beautifully on a larger scale.

You don’t see a lot of people who are artists and treating it as a business. 

It’s funny that you say that because it really is true.  As creatives, generally most of us are not strong with the business and selling aspects.  It is hard.  I always put pricing on the bottom of my pieces, or else how will people know it is for sale?  You can never assume people will think something is for sale, or that they will ask.

So what do you do in that case?

I try to put flyers, offer promos, things like that.  You have to make things as explicit as possible.

That’s awesome, good for you!

Yeah, you have to grind. No one’s going to do it for you.

I like that! I always tell artists: it’s one thing that you’re talented, but you need to treat it like a business. 

That’s something I learned through doing this. No one is going to want it for you. You have to go after what you want and you can’t be bashful about asking for what you want. You deserve as much as you think you deserve. You can’t sell yourself short, especially when you’re trying to create your own business.

And you have to toot your own horn!

Which is so hard. Social media is a way of tooting your own horn and it makes me so uncomfortable, but you have to do it. It is all a learning process. Putting yourself out there and trying to map out a business plan is something that doesn’t come naturally, at least for me, so I have to really put a lot of focus into figuring out what I’m doing. You gotta grind, hustle, and work hard!  Persistence beats resistance.

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Keep up with Victoria Miritello and her photographer on Instagram, Facebook, and her site. 

Check out a few more of her prints below –