Beautiful images and words Michela and your handmade book is lovely. I have found your posts on Substack to be really inspiring and I love the connection that you have with the nature around you. It just proves that you don't have to travel miles to create interesting, relevant and inspiring bodies of work.
Thanks Gill, I’m happy to hear that. I’ve been fortunate in two places to be able to walk from the door, but even before that I tended to choose a destination and base myself there. In part there’s a legacy from growing up of walking to get somewhere rather than getting in a car, but I think there is something about the pace of travel, and the ability to engage the senses. Periodically I have wondered if I might be running out of inspiration but there is always something around the corner, and I now find it hard to conceive of another way of working. There’s a quote I came across a while back that expresses it well:
“I liked the idea of being confined to a small place and then having to dig into that smallness.”
Paul Strand, from “dialogue with photography” Interviews by Paul Hill and Thomas Cooper
Hello Lee, and thank you. They feel like a good way to explore and see what might be possible, and it’s been too long since I’ve made one. I started small while working things out (wouldn’t want to waste materials 😀 - that old trip-me-up) but it also feels like it’s more achievable and it sits well with the concept of noticing small things.
This is so rich and I love moss and lichens in particular. I’m currently in Spain doing a week’s walking on the Camino, across the Meseta, and today saw a lot of lichen that was deep mustard/gold on twigs and tree trunks. So beautiful.
Hi Margaret, a week’s walking sounds great, though I believe it can be a demanding route. I’m fascinated by moss and lichens too, there’s such a rich variety and it makes me realise how little I know about them. I now have some good references for bryophytes and hopefully will find a useful book for lichens; in the meantime there’s https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/ which is somewhat overwhelming?
Hello Lynne, and thank you. If I’m honest, April’s weather has been dismal but it’s been good for the moss and lichen. Today was a shock to the system, 15C and sunny once the mist cleared. It felt warmer! Don’t ask me where this word play comes from, but it seems to engage my brain.
Beautiful images and words Michela and your handmade book is lovely. I have found your posts on Substack to be really inspiring and I love the connection that you have with the nature around you. It just proves that you don't have to travel miles to create interesting, relevant and inspiring bodies of work.
Thanks Gill, I’m happy to hear that. I’ve been fortunate in two places to be able to walk from the door, but even before that I tended to choose a destination and base myself there. In part there’s a legacy from growing up of walking to get somewhere rather than getting in a car, but I think there is something about the pace of travel, and the ability to engage the senses. Periodically I have wondered if I might be running out of inspiration but there is always something around the corner, and I now find it hard to conceive of another way of working. There’s a quote I came across a while back that expresses it well:
“I liked the idea of being confined to a small place and then having to dig into that smallness.”
Paul Strand, from “dialogue with photography” Interviews by Paul Hill and Thomas Cooper
An exquisite little book on Moss. I love handmade books too and the way you have utilised this style, for this booklet, is wonderful.
An exquisite little book on Moss. I love handmade books too and the way you have utilised this style, for this booklet, is wonderful.
Hello Lee, and thank you. They feel like a good way to explore and see what might be possible, and it’s been too long since I’ve made one. I started small while working things out (wouldn’t want to waste materials 😀 - that old trip-me-up) but it also feels like it’s more achievable and it sits well with the concept of noticing small things.
I love your deep delving into everything you notice and become interested in Michaela. I'm learning to work in a similar way. Thank you.
Hi Jane, and thank you. The word ‘thorough’ does tend to haunt me! Let me know how you get on, if and when you feel like sharing.
I will do, thank you.
This is all lovely, and your little moss book is gorgeous too!
Thank you Amy for your kind words.
Beautiful, clever poem. I sense the words enjoyed playing! And gorgeous photos 💚
Thanks so much Lizzie, I think I did too!
This is so rich and I love moss and lichens in particular. I’m currently in Spain doing a week’s walking on the Camino, across the Meseta, and today saw a lot of lichen that was deep mustard/gold on twigs and tree trunks. So beautiful.
Hi Margaret, a week’s walking sounds great, though I believe it can be a demanding route. I’m fascinated by moss and lichens too, there’s such a rich variety and it makes me realise how little I know about them. I now have some good references for bryophytes and hopefully will find a useful book for lichens; in the meantime there’s https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/ which is somewhat overwhelming?
Oooh the greens….luscious. I like the word play too. I keep thinking I need to loosen up my writing, this is nice inspiration for me to do so.
Hello Lynne, and thank you. If I’m honest, April’s weather has been dismal but it’s been good for the moss and lichen. Today was a shock to the system, 15C and sunny once the mist cleared. It felt warmer! Don’t ask me where this word play comes from, but it seems to engage my brain.