where secrets hide

A shoot I did with Abi one warm, winter morning among the cliffs and the forest.
These photos were featured on Zeum Magazine, which you can look at here

forever

The year has started off with a surge of motivation and wonderful memories. I have been putting all my energy into creating and developing, here are some examples
-I have been working on my etsy store
-creating and developing my present store
-Planning and organising shoots
-editing
-Planning short film
-Making jewellery

These are some photos of a shoot I did recently and which are about to be featured.

It seems every time I bat my eyelids, days have past. The idea of forever and how it resonates with youth has stuck in my mind recently. When I think of youth and forever, I associate it with bff's, road trips, teenagehood-a time which seems to last forever- and the endless adventures and possibilities before us. But, the sad truth is forever doesn't exist, not physically I don't think anyway, it's in our minds. I want to remember forever, the feelings of forever, the moment when I saw the light filter through the trees, or the blue haze that covered the frosted flood planes this morning; that is my forever, and I want to preserve it. I am keeping a new journal to preserve my forever and how I view forever during these times of teenage-hood. That first love or intense crush which feels like it's been a part of you 'forever'. I like that. But, it is a burden, and I am trying to figure out how to enjoy all that is 'forever'. I think 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' is a good example of forever, as Charlie 'famously' says 'And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.'
***
This in a way is like my diary,documenting my life. But, sometimes I hesitate about what I post on here about myself, I feel insecure and slightly scared. So, if it takes me a while to post, it's because of this.
I have been very busy with all this planning for my new stores, as well as trying to be a 6th form and complete coursework deadline. Often, I imagine myself just running away to a small cottage, taking pictures for a living and being creative everyday, not having the weight of social pressures and exams. I could do this, I will do this, I'm just waiting for the right time. I dream of living in Topanga canyon, surfing and skateboarding everyday along the hot tarmac warmed by the golden Sun-i think this dream has definitely been influenced by the weetzie bat book. I will then live in Australia for a while, it seems peaceful and relaxed over there. Wherever I go, I will be by the sea.
This year sees me going on a lot of adventures, and I want more. I want to explore the world with my camera, I want to meet people.
Now, I shall end on a quote from the song 'Gypsy' by Fleetwood Mac 'To a room with some lace and paper flowers Back to the gypsy that I was.' Stevie Nicks is the guiding light in my life.


Also, this week I have had a feature of my photography, which is always nice, so you can look at that here http://balladof.co.uk/article/brand-new-art-we-heart/5671/

peach sunrise

With the start of the new year comes this strange surge of universal inspiration that anything is possible. What I found to be one of my first inspirations of the new year is the novelist and poet Francesca Lia Block, the writer of the Weetzie Bat books. I read the books last summer and I was completely blown away by the style of writing the book took on and the themes and subjects which the book reflected. It was as if everything I had ever wanted in my life had metamorphosed into a book! I was immersed, and now I always go back to them for inspiration. 

Her work often takes on the subject of LA, where her books take place, magic, scenery, beach life, romance, friendship, film, poetry and mythology. 

Below are a collection of images-which I mainly found on Tumblr-that remind me of her books and evoke a feeling of magic and sunny LA. (if anyone knows the credits to these photos please message me so I can add them)

kelseeirby flickr

Weetzie by Wildfox

Weetzie by Wildfox

Stevie Nicks


Stevie Nicks is a big inspiration for the new year, I cant stop listening to 'Rhiannon' and 'Gypsy'. She embodies magic, witches,spirituality and dreams. We bow to you Stevie. 

Stevie

Photo I took on a recent shoot. The model in the photo has just made a blog and it's one of the best things on the internet, everyone should go and have a look at it for inspiration http://violetsphantom.blogspot.co.uk/

On a different note, I have been working hard to create for all my wonderful followers to have a piece of my art. I am working on making an Etsy store to sell my prints and jewelry which I have been making. Also, I am working on selling presets for all you budding photographers out there who wants colour similar to that in my photos, but I have adjusted them to what I think you will all like. These colours are my secrets, by baby's, but, I believe you all deserve it for the support. There will be free presets you can have, too, as a treat. I will be releasing my first free preset this week. 

Have a lovely day, week, year :)

Undiscovered: Abigail Jones

I have decided to take on a new project. I am fascinated by creative teens, who are making art and exploring all things creative, and doing things amazing, despite their age. However, I realized there are only a few of these teens out there that are making themselves really known, and their are many other teens who are  doing these inspirational pursuits, but are not recognized. Therefore, I have created this section on my blog dedicated to teen creatives, where I will interview them and take photos of them, not only giving them exposure, but hopefully inspiring other teens and people out there to follow their dreams and passions too.

So with that I give you my first interviewee. I had to choose this girl, as she is one of the biggest inspirations in my life. Her name is Abi Jones, and she is a 16 years old illustrator, fine artist, model and awesome teen!

Tell us about yourself?
 I don't really know a lot about myself. I mean it's such a broad and extensive topic, and I'd make it all weird and complicated, so I will just explore myself in terms of art and whatever. Yes, I'm really into mystery, mythology and disturbing, beautiful, sad, broken things-at the moment I have been voicing natural imagery in a fallacious synthetic way, kind of like many layers of decadent theater stage decoration, or pop up castles and paper ballerina's, like in the tin soldier fairy tale.

What creative things do you enjoy doing?
Creative things, idk man, I think everything creative, not in just obvious terms either. I mean, even dreams are creative. I like to think that the creativity stifled and undiscovered in my subconscious is able to manifest  over my dreams. Dreams are terrifying because they're biographical-last night I had a haunting dream about a terrible event/stress in my life that I haven't even thought about for many months-it concerned me because a section of my mind tortures itself without my unconscious knowing.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Like I just said, dreams, literature and ideas, art , music. I'm really into a tumblr site called 'creepydesu' which takes art from peoples pictures, It's theme is that of disturbing and innocence. Sometimes I feel bad about finding corruption and innocence interesting, but I think it's because as a child maturing you become aware of corruption and it is traumatizing. Maybe I try to turn it into an independent power thing-the corrupted ones trying to understand and find themselves in a which alternates spirit from body and objectifies.

What is your preferred creative medium?
IDK, probably ink and pen, I am a compulsive drawer of detail and little whimsical things. I'm more into comics right now, combining story with illustration. I have also found it easier because I can completely zone out and meditate whilst drawing, it becomes more emotionally expressive and cathartic.

What would you like to be doing as a career?
As a career...idk, unfortunately the terrible corrosion of self doubt enjoys pissing on my dreams and setting them alight sometimes. So, I build the ideas up. I might say, ideally, I should be confined to a room with a window and inks and paints. I have a lot of emotion and anger at myself for failing at being normal and social isolates me so that I can express myself. I like to brood, I hope what I say makes sense?

Where is your dream place to live?
Probably some elaborate crippled manor house on a Gothic hill with a dungeon. I'll probably set up a bakery there. I like the idea of the neighborhood kids fearing me, when really i'm this awesome botanist, artist, witch!

Do you think age should limit a persons goals and achievements?

 I don't think age limits goals, people limit goals. Age certainly limits artistic independence, because most kids have school and find it difficult to make decisions between work and art creativity. Then you are told you will be unleashed into the world, and your like 'WTF'?!

If you could change your name, what would you call yourself?
That is the most difficult question of my life-man! I was previously known as Ramon because I like food. I realised-however-that this name was probably taken by a pale obese man dedicating his life to world of Warcraft in his parents spare room-Ramon was the username. So, yeah, I'll just be Arme or something random Arme for Amethyst because it is the stone of inspiration.

Do you like collaboration projects?
Well, I'm a social creep, so would probably fuck them up at this age. I work better alone, but would hope to in the future!

Could you give us a playlist of your 10 favorite songs?
Height Down-John Frusciante and River Phoenix
Cranes-Lillies
Hole-Asking for it
Debussy-Girl with flaxen hair
Contoy-Ronka
Grimes-Hallways
Blanche Blanche Blanche
Yura Yura Teikoku-Beautiful
Cocteau Twins-Peppermint Pig
Aphex Twins-Xtall

I need to add two more!!!
Smile from the streets you hold
Curve-Horror Head

Thanks Abi :) She does not when she does, I will let you all know!