Friday, 9 September 2011

HOST Preview Evening

A week to go...
It is only a week away until the HOST Preview Evening at Huddersfield University on Friday 16th September 6.00 - 8.00pm. I have one piece in this exhibition which is a Limited Edition Giclee Print featuring scenes throughout Huddersfield Town Centre captured entirely on the iphone and presented as a framed photomontage behind Non Reflective Glass. Here is a sneak preview of a small section.... come along to HOST to see it full size.

Sunset iphone photography

Farnley Tyas and Castle Hill
It was such a beautiful evening last night that I decided to take some shots with my iphone...here are a selection from Farnley Tyas and Castle Hill.




Thursday, 8 September 2011

HOST Open Studio Trail

Not Long Now...
It is not long now until the HOST Open Studio Trail on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September.  Everyone is welcome to come along and indulge in the creativity and enthusiasm of local artists. I will be at The Lawrence Batley Theatre all weekend working on a new animated piece and will also be exploring creative photography using mobile devices such as the iphone and the ipad. Join me throughout the day and help make creative imagery using mobile digital media. Here are some recent images I have taken on my iphone in the lead up to HOST…. Come along to HOST to see more!!

 






A Taste of Host – the final days!

Just over a week remaining!
The Taste of HOST Exhibition will close on Sunday 18th September at the end of the HOST Open Studio Trail. As promised here are the full size images of the four pieces I have in the exhibition. If you have not already visited the exhibition at The Lawrence Batley Theatre it’s not too late…


Embark: A Composite Photographic Limited Edition Print, framed, with Non Reflective Glass (NR glass)
Five images photographed on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, creatively overlayed to form a new image depicting an essence of 'journey' on both an emotional and physical level, with powerful overtones of departure, movement, survival, flight, travel and escapism. One image was taken at the summit of Goat Fell (2866 feet high), two at Brodick Harbour and two at Lochranza. Individually they are powerful images, yet together they tell a new story.


Still Seaweed? Fine liner, water, posca and inks, framed, with Non Reflective Glass (NR glass)
This piece began as a sketch on Holy Island when I was captivated by the interlocking forms of lengths of seaweed which draped themselves across the shore. As the seaweed layed on the ground, waiting for the tide to come back in, it seemed lifeless. Yet it's stillness evoked dramatic movement within the curves and twists of its motionless form, suggesting the gentle sways that would awaken its body once surrounded by the incoming tide.
Wrap: Fine liner, water, posca and inks, framed, with Non Reflective Glass (NR glass)
Inspiration for this piece came from observing seaweed at rest. It wrapped itself amongst the rocks in a tender fashion, almost embracing the rocks, as if seeking and offering protection and comfort, all at the same time.

At Peace: Fine liner, water, posca and inks, framed, with Non Reflective Glass (NR glass)
Inspired by the tranquility I experienced at Lochranza this image reflects upon the peacefulness of solitude at day break. With the grasses gently blowing in the calming breeze and the first rays of sunlight breaking through the open sky, there is a sense of peace that envelops the natural environment and spreads rapidly throughout the open countryside.
 

Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Red Legs

Inks, posca, fineliner, water
Inspired by the Sea Gulls and their natural environment at Brodick Harbour, observed during a recent trip to the Isle of Arran, Scotland.



Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Hidden Flowers - New Series

Handmade Cards
I am currently working on a new series of handmade cards. "Hidden Flowers" explodes details and patterns found on petals, leaves and stems beyond the flower itself creating an intricate and striking pattern, using purely black and white for added emphasis. Here are some examples....






Sunday, 21 August 2011

Canal Artist Residency - planning commences

Light & Dark - Reflections & Shadows
I am about to embark on an Artist's Residency based at Shipley, exploring the creative impact of Light and Dark along a short stretch of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Following a recent planning day where I produced initial sketches and created a bank of exploratory and reference based photographic material I soon became intrigued by the patterns overlaying the canal and the canalside as a result of the bright sunlight shining through trees and shubbery and bouncing off boats and bridges, along with the decorative reflections of the sky and the surroundings in the water. It was at this point I decided to focus my creative interest specifically on reflections and shadows, under the overarching theme of Light and Dark, during my Residency. Here are a few images I produced during my planning trip.......there are much more to come so keep checking back!

Twist: The twisting bare branches of this bold, archaic tree is mimicked through the twisted photographic layers, dissolved together with subtle colour tones to suggest reflections from the canal

Beyond: An image created in response to the abundance of life, foliage and vibrancy beyond the canal. A layered image mixing black and white and full colour to create a misty palette of browns, greens and yellows.

Shipley Canal: Photographed at the side of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal near Hirst Lock capturing the radiant blue sky and the delicate white clouds, which together create a backdrop of brightness and colour against the lone tree on the hillside.