During the last couple of years, with lockdowns and personal challenges, Nature has been particularly important for solace and lifting of spirits. It has also provided a wonderful opportunity for creating images. I have been developing my impressionistic and painterly style with more multiple exposures and intentional camera movement techniques, to try and reflect the feelings of peace and joy that Nature has been providing. Flowers and foliage are still my main focus, with the 'Hana Yoku' or Flower Bathing gallery a specific project that captures this sense of well-being, and my newest series 'Where Flowers Dream', but here I have selected a looser collection of images that reflects recent interests and developments.
There are examples of the wonderful Spring flowers I have delighted in - including Cherry blossom, Magnolias, Irises, Bluebells and Edgeworthias, a new one to me. Then a watery feel with some reeds and condensation. I have also been getting more 'hands-on', and experimenting with an old photographic process called Cyanotypes or sun prints, which uses chemicals on watercolour paper to make it sensitive to light. You arrange foliage on the paper, put it under glass and leave it in the sun before washing and drying. You can add colours and textures, and I take photographs at different stages too, including close-up abstracts, so it can be great fun if totally unpredictable! Finally there are a few complete abstractions which is another new venture.