Tuesday 6 June 2017

Photographic Tales

This is a series of four micro books, titled 'lane', 'river', 'field' and 'path'. 
The idea came from a creative writing exercise, where I described, using only ten words, a photograph of my choice. From the ten words, I then chose five which I included in a short narrative, themed around the photo.
I thought it was a good idea to select images from my existing stocks of photographs, rather than deliberately setting out to take specific shots. I wanted to avoid looking for an image and a narrative at the same time, thus allowing a less conscious flow to the creative writing.
Initially, I was going to include the image alongside the text, but felt the viewer would be too influenced by the photo. It was important to let the text describe a scene in the viewers mind.
I used tracing paper for the cover and newsprint for the text page. Fabriano paper was stretched, drawn on with ink pen and then splattered with ink to create the individual hand painted cover themes.
Each title has been inkjet printed in a multiple of six, with each book measuring 105 x 50mm.
 

Photographic Tales: 'lane', 'river', 'field' and 'path'. 2017
105 x 50mm


Inside: 'field'.

Monday 17 April 2017

Leat

Leat is an edition of eight small hand-made 8 page books that use images from 'Drawing (from) the Leat' to give a sense of how the leat inspires me.

I have worked on drawings and mark making techniques using charcoal, graphite and ink to evoke a suggestion of the presence and power of the leat on Dartmoor.

Leat also includes text that comes from the inspiring visits I made to the leat for my research.


Cover: Leat 2017
134 x 88mm



Inside: Leat 2017



Inside: Leat 2017
Ink on paper

Drawing (from) the Leat

Drawing (from) the Leat is a one off sketchbook of experimental drawing and mark making using charcoal, graphite and ink on paper.

It's theme is based around the Devonport Leat on Dartmoor. The leat is a man-made channel that took water from sources high on the moor to supply water to residents in Devonport. Now the city of Plymouth is supplied by Burrator Reservoir, so the leat feeds into the reservoir.

It is an incredible feat of engineering, with tunnels and aqueducts that follow the contours of the moors. To me, the leat feels like a natural watercourse, although it holds a power and presence on the moor in the same way as the rivers and tors.



Front cover: Drawing (from) the Leat 2017
213 x 183mm



Inside page: Drawing (from) the Leat 2017
Graphite on paper




Inside page: Drawing (from) the Leat 2017
Graphite and ink on paper




Inside page: Drawing (from) the Leat 2017
Ink on paper