What I’ve been up to this month

The most important thing for me in January was that I completed designing volume 1 of 1point4 miles. I am awaiting a proof from the printer and am expecting to send it to press very soon! I will send you an e-mail as soon as the book has arrived. The run is limited to 65 copies. Please let me know if you would like me to reserve you a copy as a good number are already spoken for (just hit reply to this e-mail and let me know). The zine will be a limited, signed edition of 48 pages plus cover and feature 30 images. The price will be £8 + post and packing. There will also be an option to purchase prints.

This means that I will have completed a major project of mine and that I will have creative space for new ventures. So I have also been thinking about what comes next and you can read more about this below. As part of this I have been experimenting with creating some very abstract pieces based on landscape. I have been seen making images of, amongst other things, our garage roof and a roasting pan…

What I learned this month

I am really enjoying planning ahead. I am really benefitting from thinking about projects before actually starting them. This can involve spending time making experimental, sketch images. Or it can involve writing, making experimental sequences or just spending time thinking about what the project is about and the end point.

I also learned their value of other peoples’ feedback. Three people read my layout of 1Point4 Miles and their comments were extremely useful. We have also started to give feedback on images in an online Zoom group that I am a member of. This is a really interesting process and it is fascinating to see how different people react to the same image. I will be writing a piece in my blog about this in the coming months.

What are my plans for next month?

As soon as volume 1 of 1Point4 miles is back from the printer, I can start thinking about volume 2! The topic for this is light and this time it will be in colour. I have a large number of sketch images and I will be spending some time working out the right themes for the project. Then I can start making more images with intent.

I will also be working on my abstract landscapes. This is a very embryonic project but I can’t wait to see how it develops. Finally, my States of Mind series is also progressing.

What I’ve been writing about this month

This month my blog was about local photography and seven reasons why we should all practise this. Staying local has benefitted my image making hugely and I think it can for many people. Read more here.

What books have caught my attention this month?

Matt Black’s American Geography Landed on my doorstep this month. It documents his trips to low poverty areas in the US. It is a very bleak but artistic record of a rather different American road trip. You can find out more about Matt Black and the book here. 

I also purchased two catalogues of work by the artist David Tress. David is a painter and creates some very powerful landscapes. I am fortunate to own one of his works where he portrays bad weather in the Scottish mountains. He builds up layers of paper  and scratches as well as paints. This has definitely been an influence on my textured work. Find out more here.

What I have been listening to this month

My wife and I went to see Will Lawton last year. His compositions are gently off kilter. The changes in speed and rhythm confuse my mind in a very positive way. He is also the only musician I know who includes elements of TED talks in his work! Here is Will’s website.

I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to

If you have any work you are proud of, please share it with me. And I’m always interested to know what reading and listening people recommend.

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