In the October issue of Somerset Life magazine, which you can read here for free, I talk to Kim Williams about here life in rural Somerset with a herd of 21 alpacas…
Living with 21 Apacas…
Journey of Discovery
Every so often I meet someone who floors me. Emily Monk, of Forage and Find Me is one of those people. I met her on a gloriously sunny day on Exmouth beach to find out about her funky eco jewellery, made from foraged materials. I soon discovered we weren’t going to spend the whole afternoon discussing making techniques and environmental impact, rather her mental health and how her new businesses literally saved her, following a suicide attempt. Her story is very poignant, especially for any women who may have suffered from Post Natal Depression. It wasn’t a happy story to tell but it has a strong ending with a bright future and it’s very real. My feature was published in the August Issue of Exeter Living magazine – you can read it below.
Hanging around in style
I had my first feature published in Exeter Life last month, where I met an inspirational mother from Exeter who is championing luxe interiors that don’t cost the earth – have a read below. As a side note, I was thrilled to see my photograph of Faye breastfeeding her son while working was used as a whole page – fantastic that Exeter Living are doing their bit to help normalise breastfeeding.
Family Life Becomes Art
I’ve been monumentally lax in keeping my website up to date and I’m blaming the utter gorgeousness of my baby boy, Dylan. I’ve been a little better in keeping up with my work life though, thank goodness. Today, I’d like to share a feature I’ve got published in the April Issue of Devon Life Magazine – an interview with artist Lin Blackman, who takes fragments of family life and turns them into gallery-worthy works of art.
Jewellery with Conscience
Earlier this year I interviewed eco-activist and up-and-coming jewellery and accessories designer Emma Aitchison.
Emma launched her contemporary jewellery and accessories brand when she became frustrated that she could not find jewellery and accessories that suited her style and taste that were made with a conscious, sustainable mind. With the admirable ethos that jewellery should not be a contributing factor in harming the planet or humans, she hopes her planet conscious, sustainable jewellery brand, will inspire others to join this movement. It was a pleasure to interview Emma and view her stunning collection.
My piece was published in Somerset Life magazine and can be seen here.
Countryside Inspired Art
In this feature for Somerset Life magazine I explore the beautiful hand illustrated world of Sarah Drew of Bath Art Works. Read my feature here.
The art of Stained Glass
Earlier this year I had the privilege of meeting Angie Dibble of Hare Moon Stained Glass and discovering her bright and beautiful world of stained glass. You can read my feature with Angie, published in Somerset Life magazine here. See more of Angie’s stained glass and find out about her courses and workshops at www.haremoonstainedglass.com
Inspired By The Coast
I’ve always loved writing about the arts and as a hobby potter myself, it’s always an honour to meet a true ceramist. Early this summer I headed to beautiful Brauton, in Devon, to meet Jon Curtis, whose work is inspired by the coast and I discovered beauty at the breakfast table. You can read my feature, published by Devon Life magazine here.
Textile Revolution: Interview with internationally-acclaimed artist Kirstie Macleod
I was recently fortunate enough to interview internationally acclaimed artist Kirstie Macleod for Somerset Life magazine, as she has settled in the county. My piece concentrates on her Barocco project, which started out as a performance piece where Kirstie herself sat within a central Perspex cube wearing and embroidering the ornate red dress that filled the tiny space around her. In the 7 years since then the dress has traveled around the world being continuously embroidered and added to by 50 different participants to date.
“What started out as a roll of red fabric has now become a powerful piece examining cultural identity, and the merging of boundaries.”
You can read the feature online here.
Interview with award-winning editorial and publicity photographer Al Overdrive
“Even from my very early days, the feedback I got was that my work felt close, not voyeuristic or sterile.”
Al Overdrive is best known for making images which reflect his cinematic approach to fashion and portraiture. His work emanates an air of relaxed honesty, capturing a moment of calm which is both empathetic and revealing. Heavily influenced by the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi (perhaps in opposition to his previous career in forensic photography) he is able to reflect the personality of the people and of clothing he shoots in a way which feels natural. Unlike most photography which emphasises distance, his work embraces proximity rending the camera almost invisible. Read my interview with Al, published on the Autographer blog here.
