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Too nice
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I had so much to do, but sometimes, when the sun shines like this, and the breeze blows like that, you’ve just got to be outside…
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I Hold On To You – Collage work.
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Taking part in my postcard exchange with Stephen MacInnis the other week really reminded me how much I love to make work by hand, away from a screen. There are many things that I enjoy about working digitally – lack of mess, and the ability to undo mistakes are two big bonuses! But there is something so real and immediate about working with your hands, and I am always very happy to be drawn back.
I was lucky enough to be given a whole collection of books recently that belonged to my Gran and Grandad. Some feel special, and nice to remember, and I have kept them safely. Others are old and disintegrated and not really of use now as actual books, but I really wanted to do something with them. I felt that the elements of them would work fantastically in collage work. The print for a start is so beautiful, and the pages have aged in a wonderful way that imbues something earthy and real to the printed words. I love the connection to their owners that I feel with these books too, it makes me want to slow down and make something carefully that honours them as precious possessions.
As always, scanning these takes something away from them, but I thought I’d show you something of the work I am making. Here is one that I finished today..
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(In loving memory of L.M.S.)
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Bodied Blue
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This is work continuing on my exploration of shadows and light. I am completely mesmerised by the effects that can be created with both.
I am playing here with light on a wall, shining through objects and glass to create different effects. I was really excited to see how this one appears in the shape of a womans body, almost like an x-ray, and I think that the other shadows that fall bring more feminine lines.
I’m trying to find ways to create unusual images without too much post editing – I only accentuated the blue hues and deepened the blacks a little here, everything else was simply with experimentation of the objects, light direction, and different exposures.
I’m thinking of trying the same thing whilst recording with my super 8 camera..
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Fickle Feline.
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You may remember that I began a little project with Jack a few weeks ago, here. I’ve been trying to capture him again in some of his artistic poses but never quite got the right shots.
After being in a very bad mood all week (there was some scratching of face and eating of sofa), he strolled in to my work room today and decided it was time to continue our photoshoot.
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A Charlottetown/Exeter postcard exchange
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Stephen MacInnis
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I was thrilled this morning to receive this beautiful handmade postcard from visual artist Stephen MacInnis.
A few weeks ago we agreed on an exchange, and now we both have a little piece of each others artwork in our homes!
I’ve been a huge fan of Stephen’s work since finding his blog here on WordPress, so it was a real joy to do this swap with him.
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My card to Stephen
This is the one that I sent in exchange – I wanted to make something handmade, and had great fun with this, both in the making and in the wrapping up, knowing that it was going on a long journey!
(clicking on the image should bring up a clearer one)
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Stephen’s card was wrapped and folded, making it really intriguing to open..
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It opened out to a great design and little handwritten note inside. I love to see handwriting!
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Stephen MacInnis
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And on the other side – this!!
It is oh so beautiful and full of life, and has all the elements of movement, colour, precision and energy that I really admire in Stephen’s work. I can’t stop smiling to look at it, and I will treasure it.
If you haven’t already, visit Stephen’s fantastic blog Painter’s Progress. You can read his post on receiving my card here.
I highly recommend exchanging work in this way – whether it is a piece of art, writing, or a photograph, it’s great to make something in this spirit. It’s also rare to receive something interesting through the post these days! You just can’t beat the real thing.
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Wonder
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A collage made from some of the parts in the last post, and a few other pieces. It looks a bit better printed out, in matt, as something of it is lost on screen here – but you’ll have to take my word for that..!
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Sunlight and Rain
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I’ve been fascinated recently by the light, shadow and depth of colour that can be found in reflections of water on the ground.
I took these pictures in some long, deep filled puddles that I came across when driving home through a lane near to my house. For some reason this lane has a really great light – I’m not sure why but it falls very warmly there, and any rain water that collects is deep brown and silky from the clay soils. There are also some really exotic looking trees that line the lane, which reflect brilliantly, and further along are some great industrial silhouettes, as you can see in the first picture.
My favourite thing in both artwork and music is to play with layers, and to explore how each affects the other, and so I want to try and combine some of the shots that I took to create a few different collages. I would like to do some digitally and some handmade.
The sun came out yesterday and I couldn’t wait to get out and see what I could capture..water and sunlight, a favourite combination..
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Flooded Plains
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The rain has been falling steadily all week. It is fresh and clean, and sinking deep.
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Clearing Mists
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Such rain at the moment, bringing me to a reflective and inward mood.
Strangely, wet weather always makes me want to be outside, but today it really was so heavy I had to take shelter.
Hidden behind glass, I created some pictures..
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Furry Dancer
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I swear that Jack knows when I am pointing the camera at him, he rolls and swoons and throws the most balletic poses..
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I am going to try and follow him about to catch some more – I know he will love the attention. 
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