It’s been another incredible and varied year, so a huge thank you must go out to all my clients, who’s amazing creativity and drive, have facilitated so many lovely projects over the last twelve months. There are too many to mention absolutely everyone in this short round-up of the year but I’m extremely grateful to everyone I’ve worked with, here’s to another great year in 2024.
January
Starting out in January, shooting the exciting launch or Aria Film Studios, such a phenomenal, world class facility to have here in Wales, even more amazing to have such an operation right here on Anglesey, just five minutes from my studio.
February
February, usually a very quiet month was filled with lovely shoots for Glassmaker Verity Pulford, Ceramicist Rhiannon Gwyn and Silversmith Rauni Higson. I went out of my comfort zone somewhat in February too, by giving a talk/presentation to a local Arts Group. Public speaking isn’t something I’m too comfortable with but it seemed to go well, the feedback was heartening and a good evening was had by all, really lovely to meet so many enthusiastic and talented local artists.
March
March was another great month, highlights of which included working with Dr Elizabeth Goring on a fascinating Suffragette Film. Even if you believe you know the entire plight of the Suffragette Movement, do take the opportunity to view the film, I guarantee you’ll discover so many new aspects and details of their campaign you weren’t previously familiar with.
April
Every month includes at least one project for Ruthin Craft Centre, and April saw preparations for their new exhibitions, for Animal Rites, Catrin Howell and Jeanette Orrell.
May
Over the last couple of years it’s been a privilege to shoot for sculptor David Nash and in May images were needed for a new publication: Making New Worlds: Li Yuan-Chia & Friends. In May I also shot some incredible vessels for Yusuke Yamamoto and filmed and edited a wellness movement workshop featuring Jane Sutcliffe based on the Ruthin Craft Centre exhibition Jeanette Orrell – watch and take part in workshop here. Incorporated in film was the design of a new, animated identity for the Craft of Wellbeing, take a look at it here.
June
June saw more graphic design work than photography or videography and poster design for the North West End Acting School production, the Ghost of Graves End at Storyhouse, Chester, was a tremendously fun project amongst that work.
July
In July, work started in earnest on Rauni Higsons’ phenomenal exhibition Illuminating Silver. To accompany the extraordinary silver on display, a suite of major visual components were created, ranging from a 3D animated film, an immersive 3D Virtual Reality experience, an Augmented Reality element, along with the more conventional communications, wall panels, exhibition catalogue and wall vinyls. July also saw the creation of a logo-identity for the Dead Good Ghost Tour, the fantastic Chester ghost tour operated by North West End Acting School.
August
The theme of August seemed to be visiting makers who’d transformed their home/work spaces into exciting new display or creative spaces, starting with ceramicist Rhiannon Gwyn, who has created a beautiful gallery in her home in which to show her most recent works. Later in the month was a trip down to South Wales to see glassmakers Neil Wilkin and Roberta Mason at their hugely impressive new workshop.
September
Rauni’s exhibition Illuminating Silver opened in September, which was the culmination of her life’s practice and in a much smaller way, the culmination of eight weeks of challenging but enjoyable work for me. I was also lucky enough in September to shoot six extraordinary new vessels for Yusuke Yamamoto.
October
October was an exciting month, starting with a shoot for Silversmith Junko Mori / Adrian Sassoon Gallery – an extremely large scale chandelier piece and some wonderful table top pieces. As with every month, my work is extremely varied, from photography and videography to graphic design and illustration, and toward the end of October, I was asked to put together a slow page-turn sketchbook film for Elen Bell’s exhibition at Ruthin Craft Centre.
November
Another fantastic trip down to South Wales in November to shoot more beautiful glass for Neil Wilkin and Roberta Mason. Then, somewhat closer to home some fun portraits for Yusuke Yamamoto and his Lowe prize entry. Last but not least in November editing was completed on two short films for Ticky Lowe, Making Sense.
December
December saw the design and production of the 2023 Raising the Bar publication, a book I design every year for Ruthin Craft Centre along side the incredible artist Lisa Carter Grist. I was also fortunate enough to begin shooting for Dewi Evans and his lovely Butterfly Wall Art products, a project that will continue through to the new year and his exciting launch.
2024?
So, what's happening in 2024? In the early part of the year, casting and shooting will take place for Paint, a film collaboration project with artist Gareth Brindle Jones. This will be my second film project with Gareth, after the well received short film Growing back in 2022 at Moma Machynlleth. Paint is slightly more ambitious and expansive project, full feature film in length – I'm really looking forward to working on it.
