Photographing inspiring people and spaces.
I have to say that “Makers” is a kind of project that I needed the most lately. Not only do I love taking portraits, but I’ve already met some amazingly inspiring art and craft people. And this is just a start. This satisfies my unending hunger for inspiration, new experiences and exchange of ideas. I used to always love visiting people’s homes, and imagine what daily life they lead according to their cosmetics bottles exposition in the bathroom or posters on their walls. I have to admit I even unintentionally stare at people’s windows in the evening when walking home- sometimes I get a little glimpse of a family at a dinner table or a couple watching telly on a sofa, sometimes there’s pets, men frozen in doubt looking inside the fridge, sometimes all I can see is strange decisions in furniture choice or a whole wall covered in bad taste paintings. They all trigger my imagination- I like to picture how these anonymous people live. And “Makers”allows me to visit one of the most intimate spaces one can have- their studio or workshop. Today I wend to doors open day at the Briggait, WASPS. I met a few very talented people, admired their work and made contacts for some portrait shooting.
One of them was a painter Sue Biazotti- her studio was just as inspiring as her paintings- large scale bold coloured abstracts or figures of swimmers in bright blue water. I couldn’t resist and snapped a few photos just there, the paintbrushes above and paint tubes below are from her studio.
Another inspiring artist was the jeweler Alison Macleod. She makes extremely beautiful pieces from silver and other materials (my favourite ones were made with silver and wood) and also runs jewelery making classes in her cozy studio. She is also to be featured in the Makers project soon.
Alison’s friend, Angharad Mclaren, probably had the most visitors in a smallest space. Hew weaving machines take up the whole studio space and she makes the most beautiful designs using Scottish wool and less obvious materials like ropes, neoprene and wire. Her woven fabrics were on display in her studio and I don’t think I’ve seen more beautiful patterns and colour combinations before.
Below is just a little preview from the studio of another very talented textiles designer- Johanna Flanagan, last week we spent a couple of hours chatting, crocheting (well, just her), taking photos (well, only me) and discussing future collaboration possibilities- it was an afternoon well spent.
Since “Makers” is still very much so work in progress, I’m not posting any portraits here, they still await a massive editing project and some writing. Watch this space though.
It seems that it became a tradition for me to post on Sundays,when plans for the next week only start to come together. It looks like it might be busy again, now I’m off to order some more film online.
And hopefully no more ill ones in this house next week, it’s been a few days of making chicken soup, apple pies, endless cups of tea and general looking after.
