March newsletter: Scotland, Bristol and all change
A shifting landscape: work from my workshop in Ardnamurchan
March was a month of change and adventure
It took three train journeys, with a combined time of ten and a half hours, a two-and-a-half-hour bus trip and a final car lift to get me to one of the remotest parts of Scotland where I was attending a photography workshop this month. The travel and the people I met whilst travelling were an experience in their own right.
I have also been thinking a lot about the future direction of my work. I am abandoning some projects and exploring many new ones. Look out for another article soon where I reveal more.
What I’ve been up to this month
This month I spent a week in the West of Scotland on Rob Knight’s excellent Ardnamurchan Spirit workshop. It is not often I get to devote an uninterrupted week for my image making. Rob was very good at facilitating discussions on many aspects of creativity and image making and the workshop definitely helped me refine my photographic voice. I will be writing more about my conclusions from my time away in future blogs. However, I will now be focussing on re-imagining what I see, rather than realistic portrayal.
After the workshop I now have a lot of images work on! I am concentrating on producing small panels of images at the moment. Then I will take a while to reflect on what I have produced and how I might develop it.
What I learned this month
My key learning was about taking the time to step back and reflect on the direction of one’s work. Often we do not pass enough time doing this. I am finding journaling and discussing things with other creatives is time well spent.
I also learned some really interesting exercises on the workshop to improve the breadth of my creative vision. Exercise is important in many areas of life, and creativity is no exception.
What are my plans for next month?
I am looking forward to attending a workshop on FrenchLink bookbinding, run by Fotospeed. I feel the urge to create more handmade books and am looking for new ideas. I want to broaden my experience into more than just books of images. Watch this space!
What I’ve been writing about this month
Last month’s blog was inspired by the workshop. “What I learned from writing instructions on how to make my image” details an exercise we carried out in Scotland. It really made me think about how I create my images. It is a practice that everyone can benefit from. I would encourage you to read the blog and give it a go.
What have I seen this month
I visited a number of exhibitions on a trip to Bristol recently. The one that really stood out for me was Adore at the Arnolfini Arts Centre. It explores the work of Garry Fabian Miller. He explores his home area of Dartmoor in so many different ways and with some very powerful collaborations. I would encourage everyone to go and see it.
What I listened to this month
I went to another gig this month: Eels. Mark Everett, the leader, is a real showman. Their songs have a real depth that belies their simplicity. I also got to see Pixies again: two hours of warped indie rock awesomeness!
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!