Opening Doors ~ From Hurt to Hope ~ Inter-Action MK

Thank you to Inter-Action MK for inviting me back to photograph the final set of doors created as part of their Opening Doors project. Working towards breaking down barriers that come between people who experience domestic abuse and the support that is available to them, doors have also been created in conjunction with Moving Forward, a prevention project for young people. Not only do the doors represent the stigma that is attached to open discussion about domestic abuse, they also signify as artist Sarah Wright said '. . . the presentable face that the outside world sees, on the other side isolation'. All too sadly domestic violence is more common that we realise and it can be difficult to ask for help. If you are experiencing domestic violence I urge to you contact MK ACT on 0844 375 4307 Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 5.00 or email them at info@MK-ACT.org. Alternatively please get in touch the 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

This project is supported by: MK Community Foundation, BPHA, the Open University, Adams Moore, MK Domestic Violence Open Forum, MK-ACT, Relate MK, MK YOT, Inter-Action MK and MK Gallery, Thames Valley Partnership

What Do I Do Whilst Waiting For 'My' Baby To Arrive?

Many photographers have primary or secondary jobs to support their creative work. I'm not talking about 'hobbyist' weekend photographers but people who are dedicated to providing a professional service. I've chosen to be a full time professional photographer ~ concentrating on my business 110%  ~ but there's a lot more to running a full time photography business than the shoots. Apart from all the usual aspects of running a small business, there is the booking, editing, ordering, follow-ups and so on. And after the maternity shoots have to wait for the babies to arrive so that I can schedule those beautiful newborn sessions!

So what do I do whilst I'm waiting for 'my' babies to arrive? Well one third of my work supports Disability & Community Arts and this can involve documenting events or running workshops, working to help raise the profile of local organisations. Rarely do I get a chance to disappear with my camera to shoot purely for myself, so yesterday was an absolute joy! I spent the day at Westbury Farm with some of my fellow Catchlight Collective members ~ a group of the best photographic artists from MK and the surrounding area. With no clients to capture I was out of my comfort zone initially, but soon got into the flow and had a brilliant time exploring this fabulous space. These are some of my favourites . . . in management speak the experience was professional development at its finest!

Live At Home's 10th Anniversary Project

Oh my goodness ~ the exhibition prints look fabulous! This is one of my favourites  . . . Since the Pictures & Pancakes Day back in February I've been working on a project to celebrate Live At Home's 10th anniversary this month and it's all come together and looking gorgeous! Usually I work on my own but on this project have been mentoring an emerging photographer, without whom I wouldn't have managed to complete it on time. Thank you Lene!

Arts Bash 2011 {The Roadmender ~ Northampton}

One third of my work supports local Disability & Community Arts and I was busy at The Roadmender on Saturday capturing Northamptonshire Council's annual Arts Award celebration event. Managed and led by students from the Latimer Arts College working in collaboration with council staff, this year's event included workshops with Animation Station, Hedz Ltd and a truely inspirational poet. Thank you for inviting me back again!

'Pictures & Pancakes Day' ~ Live At Home Northampton {Wendy Grant Photography}

I came across Live At Home during the second year of my fine art degree and have happy memories of photographing several of Live At Home members, especially Daisy, with whom I forged a very special friendship. Whilst I now specialise in maternity, newborn and family photography ~ the opposite end of the spectrum ~ I still really enjoy older people's company and am delighted to be working with Ray and his team on an exciting project to celebrate Live At Home's 10th anniversary in June this year! These are a few of my photographs from yesterday's 'Pictures & Pancakes' event that was sponsored by Barclaycard . . .

Inter-Action MK ~ Community Arts {Wendy Grant Photography}

It was another busy day at Inter-Action MK last Thursday photographing lots of different artworks from the many workshops they run, as well as going back to Meadfurlong School. Some of the photographs will be part of the ever changing display in the local Community Garden at Peartree Bridge and we wanted to use bright coloured backgrounds for this. Those of you who are familiar with Inter-Action may recognise the background I used for the mask, which was the chicken coop. It was just perfect! I think the chickens are quite blase now about me going into their enclosure with my camera.

Artwork for Milton Keynes Bridge 2 {Community Arts ~ Wendy Grant Photography}

Everyone was so enjoying themselves on Thursday, creating collages with the photographs that children from Meadfurlong School took at our workshop the week before, that we asked the teacher if we could stay for an extra half an hour! We looked at the work of Damien Hirst, Van Goch, Monet and David Hockney's wicked iPad paintings for a bit of inspiration. I can't wait to see the finished results!

Artwork for Milton Keynes Bridge {Community Arts ~ Wendy Grant Photography}

The children from Meadfurlong School in MK worked hard at at their digital photography workshop last week and we got some great results! I'm looking forward to going back this week with Leigh from Inter-Action MK when we will be using the children's photographs to create some fabulous artwork that will transform the gloomy and dark underbridge in Fishermead and Oldbrook!

Part of the Furniture @ IKEA {Community Arts Photographer ~ Milton Keynes}

There was certainly a surprise in store for unsuspecting shoppers at the Milton Keynes IKEA last week when Inter-Action MK's inclusive performing arts group GRID presented a series of happenings! Creative theatre at it's best, the group, wowed staff and customers alike weaving their magic among the sofas, kitchens, mirrors and the office and children's departments.

Sing-Ka -Ching with Inter-Action MK {Community Arts Photographer ~ Milton Keynes}

A great night was had by all at Inter-Action MK's recent fundraising event Sing Ka Ching! It was lovely to see many familiar faces and meet new people, all of whom are passionate about supporting the future of community arts in MK. There was a disco and live music from bands that donated their services, featuring tributes to David Bowie, Tina Turner and Oasis. Wilton Hall was the perfect venue and as always the food was spectacular thanks to the Inter-Action Team who beavered away in the kitchen most of the evening!

In Memory of Daisy {Family Photographer Northamptonshire ~ Wendy Grant Photography}

I was saddened to learn last week of the death of Daisy whom modelled for me during the second and third years of my fine art degree. We shared many happy moments trawling through her family photograph albums. Always inspiring and encouraging, she loved visiting my exhibitions where her portraits were often the star attraction. As a young woman Daisy was so beautiful it's no wonder that a photographer left his portrait of her in his window for nigh on a month! Above all, as a beautiful older woman, Daisy was a wonderful friend and I shall miss her.

Autumn Lights With Inter-Action MK {Community Arts Photographer ~ Milton Keynes}

The cold didn't dampen anyone's spirits on Sunday evening at Tinkers Bridge in Milton Keynes. Inter-Action MK organised yet another fantastic event with the local residents. The lanterns on the grass and tea lights in the courtyard made a real splash . . .  and the projector and blank wall was a great hit too! The stalls, face painting and glow sticks, topped off with a huge jacket potato and home made cakes to keep everyone warm, made for a super evening.

Artwork @ Inter-Action MK {Disability & Community Arts ~ Buckinghamshire}

I had a wonderful morning at Inter-Action MK yesterday photographing their Recollections collection and other artworks at their beautiful site in Peartree Bridge. The weather was absolutely perfect and the trees looked magnificent with their changing colours. Inter-Action MK is like a second home to me and it wraps me in a big hug every time I visit. Thank you for inviting me back so many times this year . . . it's always a pleasure to support your work!

Many Hands Make Fabulous Artwork! {InterAction MK @ Fishermead}

What FUN was had by everyone passing along the footbridge between Fishermead and the Xscape building at Milton Keynes on Saturday creating a Path of Hands with  InterAction MK as part of their Fishermead FUN project!

Arts Bash 2010 {Royal & Derngate Theatre}

I was delighted to be invited back to cover this year's Arts Bash event in the Underground at the Royal & Derngate theatre. Arts Bash is the annual Arts Award celebration event for young people across Northamptonshire, which was managed and led this year, by students from Northampton College working in partnership with council staff. There's always plenty to capture: performances, dance and circus skills workshops, photography exhibitions and more! This lovely young lady filmed the whole event with her team. I do hope that I didn't get in their way!

Celebrating 35 Years of Community Arts! {Recollections MK}

I've been supporting the community arts charity InterAction MK for some time now and always have great fun at their events and meet some fascinating people. InterAction MK has just launched 'Recollections MK', a digital history archive with over 17,000 images, documents and audio visual material. To mark this important anniversary students and past project participants also worked with resident artists, to create an animated film and artwork.

The Arts & Heritage Alliance Arts Open Weekend

A third of my work supports Disability & Community Arts and I was thrilled to be invited to cover the recent Arts Open Weekend for the Milton Keynes Arts & Heritage Alliance! It was a fabulous event over three days and the sun didn't disappoint. I visited 22 venues capturing the varied and exciting action in all of them; meeting up with old friends and making new ones. It was truly fantastic! Perhaps I took your photo? Have a look at the Arts & Heritage Alliance website to see a selection from the weekend.

THINK Youth Arts Day

I had a brilliant time last weekend at InterAction MK's THINK Youth Arts Day! There was something for everyone . . . I just LOVED the dancing with Urban Strides. Here's some tasters. Many thanks again to InterAction MK for inviting me along.

Over the Rainbow at The Castle in Wellingborough

Many thanks to John at Gallery West 24 in Earls Barton . . . my wonderful framer . . . for mounting and framing the work produced by Veronica's SO! Dancers Post 16 and Young Creations groups. And to Steve in the Fine Art Department at The University of Northampton for his support with the printing. The images the groups have produced in our workshops during the last few weeks, inspired by the work of Andy Warhol, look absolutely fabulous and are showing at The Castle in Wellingborough throughout May. This is one of the pieces on display. I also had a great time helping the other artist, Sophie, with the exhibition this morning and meeting up with my friend Angie, again . . . She is showing some fabulous work along the Balcony Wall.

Garden of Light

A third of my work supports local Community & Disability Arts and on Saturday evening I was invited along to cover InterAction MK's Garden of Light event. These are just a few of my favourites from this really fabulous event.