Artist’s Statement
“be aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoy the pleasant without holding on when it changes” - adapted from James Baraz
My work is “inspired by nature’ but with complete respect for sustainable human development, ranging from the cultivation and landscaping through to photographic techniques. For several years my photographic identity was diverse, always inspired by florals but also encompassing landscapes and city scapes, reaching into some portraiture, a wedding or two and embracing many techniques including panorama, ICM and digital manipulation.
But whilst seeking an artistic identity I realised I had migrated largely into garden and flower photography, supported by some fabulous courses on botanical imagery at West Dean College and RHS Wisley Gardens. I develop my practice through an artistic bent, loving the geometry and colour of garden structures and nature’s wonders, rather than applying any garnered botanical or gardening knowledge and skills. That said, undertaking a botanical painting certificate increased my knowledge of botany due to the admirable demand for accuracy in that craft.
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Today….. I take a liberal attitude to my art, from specimens to landscape, colour, posterisation and monochrome through to painterly effects and abstracts. The mechanism for imagery does not matter and mirrorless cameras with wide angle, telephoto, macro and a lensbaby are my main tools of choice, but a point and shoot camera and also the iPhone play a part. The mantra of “your best camera is the one you have with you’ certainly applies.
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As the eras of digital imaging mature I believe we are only now becoming to realise that we lose artistic impact through digital reliance. On screen presentation can be striking, but the sense of viewing a physical image that offers opportunity to reflect more, to linger, imagine and meditate I feel has been lost to an extent in an over paced technological age, with unseen societal damage.
My practice includes promoting my imagery as physical items in my online shop and also at craft fairs. That stems from my desire for society to take action, rather than view, life through social interaction and reflection. This can be encouraged by creating and observing physical art.
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About me
I love photography of all kinds but have over time focussed my energy on flower and garden imaging. When viewing on screen, possibly purchasing an image, or maybe as a fellow artist seeking out the same interests as me, I really hope you enjoy the evolving content displayed here.
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Since childhood I have had a lasting photographic interest both as an art form and a technical challenge. I secured my Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society a way back and my ambition is to build this gallery and hope one or two may provoke feelings of happiness or calm, as they do me. My work is “inspired by nature’ but with complete respect for the human development, ranging from the cultivation and landscaping through to photographic techniques.
For several years my photographic identity was diverse: Whilst seeking that photographic identity I realised I had migrated largely into garden and flower photography, gleaned through some fabulous courses on botanical imagery including at West Dean College and RHS Wisley Gardens. I develop my practice loving the artistry of garden structures and nature’s wonders, rather than applying botanical or gardening knowledge and skill. That said, a botanical painting certificate necessitated increasing knowledge of botany due to the demand for accuracy in that craft.
​
The mechanism for imagery does not matter and mirrorless cameras with wide angle, telephoto, macro and a lensbaby are my main tools of choice, but point and shoot cameras and also the iPhone play a part. The mantra of “your best camera is the one you have with you’ most certainly applies.
​
Finally, as the era of digital imaging matures I believe we are only now becoming to realise that we lose artistic impact through digital reliance. On screen presentation can be striking, but the sense of viewing a physical image brings back the opportunity for more reflection, imagination and meditation, something that has been lost to an extent in a technological age with unseen societal damage. My practice includes promoting my imagery as physical items in my online shop and also at craft fairs.
