THE OLD ROCK FACTORY

First I have to apologies for the lengthy photo post but I really couldn't cut any from the series as they all bought the story of The Old Rock Factory to life!
Some of you may or may not know the studio space but here it is. A place for creatives to be..well creative! As you can see Robin Ross the owner has his own printing studio located on the first floor and it is filled with lots of interesting things from the actual screen prints, paint pots, work areas and all with the back drop of a beautiful old factory setting.
Robin holds many printing sessions here for people of all ages and on a daily basis is there to make his own art work in which he exhibits all over the world.
The annual event 'Sand, Sea and Spray' that features Robin (and who has also curated it!) will be held in Blackpool on the 16th June this year. Over three days the town will be 'sprayed' by various artists in various urban locations. Want to know more? Click here.

I think its great that Blackpool finally has studio spaces for creatives to work in and I urge anyone who is passing to pop into the factory!

BONKERS CLUTTERBUCKS

I am currently an 'apprentice' on Project Object where we will meet weekly to develop a card model based around the templates designed by Bonkers Clutterbucks. We are sourcing images and inspiration from the archives at Blackpool Library and as you can see from the second image down I have focused on the Blackpool Tower Circus acts from before the war.
Working with Peter and Kate we gain an insight into the world of taking a product to market. So far we have heard from the buyers at Yorkshire Sculpture Park and learnt how Bonkers Clutterbucks started their business with modelling kits for children. Its just all so much fun!
For more information and where you can buy some of the lovely models seen above check out Bonkers Clutterbucks site here - http://bonkersclutterbucks.com/

NEW PEN CAMERA

Recently I have been spending lots of time at my grandparents house and as I bought my new camera on Saturday I decided to try it out at their house.
I must admit I have probably replicated some of these shots over the years but as a small collection with the exterior shots I like the story that comes across.
By picking out the details in the house and garden I am able to build up a story of the space and I love this way of photographing an area and building up the documentary style.
All of these were taken on the Olympus Pen and although I have only used it for a few hours I love the results!

GRANDAD'S SHED

Over the past few weeks I have been spending time at my grandparents house and this usually means helping with odd jobs about the house. While in and out of the shed I noticed a few things that really meant something to me. The top image is of my Grandad's skipping ropes, hung up and showing signs of the how much they have been used over the years he trained as a boxer.
The second image is of the family scooter that has been used by my aunt, uncle, mum, me, my brother and my cousin. Its now hung up ready for the next arrival and still looks in good shape!
What treasures have you found recently? I'd love to know!

Jane Fulton

The oil spill in Mexico has outraged many, but one person in particular has taken an artistic approach to the situation. Jane Fulton has created images that appear to show people bathing in the oil infested waters. In fact she has re-created this (what with we don't know) but they certainly make for some very interesting and thought provoking imagery.
Jane wanted to highlight the exploitation of the world's resources and what effects on all life forms this catastrophe has had. On her website she states that -'We are also all responsible for the solution and we must work together to protect the balance of life'

By including families in her study she creates a connection to the viewer as they can relate to the situation and therefore sympathise with the situation more. The fact that the child pictured here has its hands out as if to say 'look at the dirt on me' makes us feel even more concerned as children are so vulnerable.
The full length style image also reminds me of Reneke Dijkstra's seriesof children on the beach. She had the similar idea of exposing this vunerable site of people in bathing costumes, exposing the everyday.

This last portrait has been shot in a different style so as to really focus in on the mans expression. I think this is one of the more striking images as we don't see the sand, just a bleak over cast sky and sea. This all adds to the serious subject at the heart of the project.

I like this series as it has a depth to it, a relevance to what is happening today in the world even though Jane isn't near the catastrophe. This shows you that creativity in photography can come from anywhere at any time.










All images are copyright of Jane Fultons.