[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Meet North Hollywood photographer and illustrator Dominick Aznavour. Our NoHo Artist Feature is a way to highlight the visual artists who call NoHo home.
The NoHo Arts District is just one-square mile but what we do in this one-square-mile makes us a vibrant and creative neighborhood. Although we are known for our performing arts, visual artists comprise a significant portion of our community. Our NoHo Artist Feature hopes to encourage local establishments to incorporate more art and murals on their walls and open their doors to more art events. So, we think more people should meet Kaveh Taherian, one of our neighborhood’s unique creators.
Get to know Dominick Aznavour
I was born in Los Angeles and raised in Valencia, where I attended fine art classes at the age of 5. I was constantly drawing as a child, but I also loved watching movies as well. From about junior high until college, I was taking acting classes, auditioning for movies/commercials while also performing in theatre. Eventually, I went to college and decided to study TV and film production, where I fell in love with directing/cinematography. Looking back now, I realize my love for photography started way before college. College just gave me the tools to get better at it. I realize that I was one of the few kids in high school to bring a digital camera to class. I have tons of pictures of my friends and I goofing off in theatre class. I give my mom the credit, though. She was CONSTANTLY taking pictures of us, so the camera was just a part of our lives.
How would you describe your art?
I’d say my art is…diverse. My portfolio is sort of all over the place (both photography and my illustration), but namely, because I’m constantly inspired by other artists. If I had to use one word for each, I would say my photography is cinematic and my illustration is “pop art.” I tend to get bored easily, so I like to try something new once I feel I’m proficient in one style. When I see something I really like, I’ll try to pick it apart and duplicate that style to better understand what it takes to get there.
Do you have a preference for illustration or photography?
Illustration is very therapeutic and nostalgic and, although I genuinely love some of the illustrations I create, I’m more proud of my photography. I feel like it’s emotionally deeper and tells more of a story than most of my artwork. Most of my artwork is just goofy. Now that I think about it, it’s sort of a Jekyll and Hyde.
My photography tends to be more serious and cinematic and my art is very comical and whimsical.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently learning as much Ai as I possibly can. The landscape of photography has been changing so quickly ever since Ai was introduced, so I’d love to be an expert in that field. You never know what direction things could go, so I feel like I should be prepared if the landscape continues to change.
If you had a magic wand, what project would you be working on?
I’ve always wanted to work for a luxury sunglass brand like Oliver Peoples or Jacques Marie Mage. They have this incredible mix between mid-century Los Angeles and modern lifestyle photography. I love collecting glasses and sunglasses, so working with a brand like that would be a dream.
What do you like about living in the NoHo Arts District?
I love how there are so many artists in the area. Actors, models, dancers. It’s such a diverse audience here. I also love the geography. It’s so central to everything. DTLA, Santa Monica, Studio City, etc… I lived here from 2015-2017 and moved back in 2020, so you can say I enjoy living here.
What would you like to see more of in the NoHo Arts District?
We need more nightlife and activities for people to mingle! It’s such a prime location but I never hear about anything really happening in the area. The only thing that’s really going off in the area is El Tejano.
Stay in Touch with Dominick Aznavour
https://www.dominickaznavour.com