April newsletter: Walking, stitching and mindfulness

It finally seems that Spring is here

Finally, I enjoyed my first long walk in what seems like a very long time. It was good to be out in the countryside for several hours, taking in so many sights, sounds textures and smells.

I think I may be solar-powered: as the sun comes out, I rejuvenate. My mind has been full of ideas and ways to produce my work. Part of the challenge this month has been to calm myself down and not to plan too much!

What I’ve been up to this month

This month I have been working on the images that I made during the Ardnamurchan Spirit workshop from Rob Knight that I went to in March. I also attended a French link stitch workshop at Fotospeed this month. I managed to put the two together and produce a handmade book of some of the images. However, this was very much a learning exercise, so I am not going to share details of this particular book!

I also went back to the Arnolfi Arts Centre in Bristol to view the excellent Adore exhibition again. It is on until the end of this month and you really should go and see it. I had another reason to go as well: I am fascinated by their floor. I wanted to make more images of it, specifically some of the paint splashes that I saw on it. I am enjoying celebrating the small details. I will be creating a couple of projects around the work that I am producing from these sessions.

What I learned this month

During my French link binding session at Fotospeed I learned that. Some of the scarier-seeming book finishing methods can be easier to get going with than they might seem. I also got a lot of inspiration on how I might make some more books as well as some useful printing techniques specifically for book making.

I have also started attending a mindfulness course run by Jen Grange at Lakeland Wellbeing. I enrolled to try and help my photographic vision. However, the concept can be applied to many areas of life. I now find it much easier to see more when I am out and about. And I am learning some useful calming techniques.

What are my plans for next month?

This coming month is all about consolidation. It is easy to get carried away by yet more projects. There is another big project that I am keen to get going on but it is better that I wait and keep up the momentum on projects that are already underway. So I am going to focus on my Arnolfini and Ardnamurchan images.

What I’ve been writing about this month

I did write a blog this month but I haven’t published it. It is quite personal, about the change in direction that I am taking artistically. I haven’t had the courage to press the publish button yet. However, writing it was still a very useful exercise in processing my thoughts about the changing direction of the imagery that I am making.

What have I seen this month

I really enjoyed an exhibition the Martin Parr Foundation on The Dynamic, an independent newspaper for Abertillery and the Ebbw valley. There is some powerful imagery by Sebastian Bruno. And it is also a moving social commentary.

On a different note, I went to the 118th Annual Exhibition for the Bath Society of Artists. There was a huge range of different styles on display. This meant lots of artistic inspiration to take away and to work into my imagery. My favourite work was a very detailed overhead view of one of the Scilly Isles. On one level, viewed from further away, it was a beautiful abstract image. And then, closer up, it revealed so much more.

What I listened to this month

I was lucky enough to attend the launch party for In That Brief Moment, the new album by The Flamenco Thief. He loops Spanish Guitar sounds into a completely new form. This time he has added percussion, bass and brass. It is a thoroughly recommended listen.

Finally, it would be rude not to mention my book!

I still have some copies of 1Point4 Miles – Heat and Intensity. It is just £11.50 including P&P to the UK (although I will deliver to anywhere in the world!). Purchase your copy here.

Make sure you keep in touch!

You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Vero. But please also e-mail directly: I really enjoy the conversations I have with those of you who have contacted me. And I love to see image and projects that you are proud of. And do send me recommendations for reading, listening, exhibitions, blog articles and more!