Film photographs.

Some of my favourite photographs that I've taken in 2015

I've recently made more of an effort to use my film camera, having not used it much last year. I think it's paying off. I love the texture and depth that you get from a film photograph, there is nothing quite like it. 

Large Format Photographs.

I took these large format photographs on a course a few years ago now. I recently had them scanned and am planning to have a few printed and framed. 

I love film photography and have considered getting a large format camera of my own, however given the time it takes to set up each photograph and the fact that I spend most of my time with a toddler and soon a baby, I have decided it will wait for now. I also don't have a home darkroom yet so that will be something to set up first.

These were all taken in the Peak District. Large format photography seems especially suited to the landscape, perhaps because it generally moves very little. I would love to experiment with photographing people in the future.

Pregnant women in Art.

 1903: Gustav Klimt, 'Hope I'

1903-4: Gustav Klimt, 'Pregnant Woman with Man'

1971: Alice Neel, 'Pregnant woman'

2002: Ron Mueck, 'Pregnant Woman'

Recent History - An exhibition by current and past WSA students in The Brooks Shopping Centre, Winchester

Back in the summer I visited Winchester and saw a small show in The Brooks Shopping Centre. It was a show of work by students of Winchester School of Art and as always I took a few pictures. I don't know who all the work is by but will add names if I find any of the artists.

Meredith's first Artwork.

Things have been quiet here lately, but I'm starting to have time to do things again. Keeping Meredith amused is a full time job, so she's had to spend time with me in my studio. She's not quite old enough to sit at a desk and create things by herself yet, but she will play a while on the floor whilst I cut into some lino. 

We also made some artwork together week before last. It's pretty big. Merry is learning to walk, currently whilst holding my hand so we practised walking through paint and over paper. She wasn't sure about the paint on her feet and kept lifting them up. She was much more sold on putting her hands in it.

Here is the finished piece. I need a really big frame for it now. 

We used Acrylic and sprinkled gold dust on it whilst it was still wet. 

Her feet needed some washing afterwards.

I'll post more of our joint ventures and her own creations as she gets older.

Print Isn't Dead

A quick linoprint for People of Print

People of Print currently have a Kickstarter campaign running here for their new publication 'Print Isn't Dead'.

I'm glad you're alive! at OpenHand OpenSpace Reading

A couple of weeks ago I went to see 'I'm glad you're alive!' an exhibition by two artists who have studied at Winchester School of Art. Peter Driver is due to complete his degree this year and Lydia Heath finished her BA in 2013.

I haven't visited a lot of shows lately as I had a baby 8 weeks ago, so this was the first she'd seen and the first I'd seen since she was born and it was a brilliant first show to see, despite the fact that I had a big distraction at the time.

Me and Merry look at Lydia Heath's work.

Above, woodcuts by Peter Driver.

The above woodcut 'Loving the Alien' was a particular favourite of mine, I love the colours. I actually bought this print for my wall at home, supporting fellow artists and all that!

A washing line of woodcuts by Peter.

A photographic piece by Lydia Heath.

Rich drinks some mulled cider and admires some of Peter's woodcuts.

Lydia's installation in juxtaposition with Peter's woodcut and photograph.

Collage and 'I'm glad you're alive' print by Peter.

Visitors to the exhibition could pick up a free 'I'm glad you're alive!' print.

 ***

The woodcut plates themselves were one of my favourite bits of the exhibition. Much the same as when I saw Chuck Close's exhibition last year, there is something very beautiful about woodcut plates.

 ***

 

More of Lydia's work.

***

Merry seemed to enjoy herself too some of the time and so I'm sure we'll be popping to some more exhibitions soon.