Days 8 - 14 Elle Moss Photography Challenge

Happy Sunday lovely readers, Maddabling is pleased to share with you all the next installment of her Elle Moss Photography 21 Day Photo Challenge. Today's post contains snaps for days 8 - 14. I hope you enjoy the images, see you all on Wednesday for a brand new Wednesday Wishes post xo

day 8 - dress

day 9 - grass 

day 10 - favourite place

day 11 - words 

day 11 - alternate photo - words

day 12 - horizon

day 13 - into the sun

day 14 - three things

Friday Friends - Local Artists - Meleah Farrell Photography

Welcome lovely Maddabling blog followers to a new edition in the Friday Friends series. It has been a week filled with cool mornings, rain and sunshine, glorious Autumn weather. Maddabling is hoping to get into a little bit of gardening this weekend, the vege patch needs a little attention - weeds tend to flourish as the rain falls and the sun shines. Oh and readers, don't forget to take a peek at the Maddabling Blog on Sunday for the next 7 day installment of the Elle Moss Photography Photo Challenge to see what Maddabling has snapped for week 2 of this challenge. Back to today's featured artist now - this week I want you all to meet a local artist - the exceptionally talented Meleah Farrell, Photographer !

I had the pleasure of poring over the amazing images Meleah creates at a local market recently - readers you really are in for a treat ! Here are some of my favourite images. Note : Meleah has allowed me to use these images for the purpose of this blog feature, please do not reproduce these in part or in full without Meleah's express permission. 

Dear Readers, I invite you now to take some time out, and to immerse yourself in a visual journey that will challenge your pre-conceptions on what a photograph is, as you view the world through the lens of Meleah Farrell Photograhpy.

Through the Lens of Meleah Farrell Photography

MY STYLE AND INSPIRATION

I love to see the “special in the everyday”. I often find myself looking at things differently with my ‘camera eye’, distracted by one aspect or another of subjects. Whether it’s getting lost in detail or exploring aspects of the colour, shape, texture and form before me, I enjoy seeing where digressing from the most obvious path will lead.

I like experimenting using unconventional photographic techniques. All my images are created ‘in-camera’ with little or no manipulation in Photoshop.
I try to create a photograph to be, for me, an abstract form of expression, and for the viewer, something that challenges their perceptions and expectations of the world around them. My style also came about from not liking to be limited for shooting in the “golden hours” of photography- that is sunrise and sunset. Although the light at these times is amazing, I’m not my best at 5am and typically busy around sunset. So when I had half an hour to spare I would venture out into my own backyard or even walk around my house and look at the simple, everyday things that surrounded me and try and see their potential for an interesting image. Still to this day is my backyard my source of inspiration. Having just relocated to Torbay on the south coast of WA, I’m immersed in exploring a whole new world and discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary.

ME

I began developing an interest in photography by buying my very first ‘proper’ film camera whilst living in a small fishing village in Malaysia and commenced study (by correspondence at the time) with the New York Institute of Photography in 2002. Following my return to Australia in 2003 I continued my photography studies at the School of Art Design and Media, Perth Central TAFE, an experience which focused my creative development. This quote was taken from one of my assignments on the direction we saw our photography going (it was real early days) and it fascinates me that it can be seen in my style today.
As I continue to not only shoot, but think, process and develop all that is ‘photography’, I’m embracing abstraction and realism – notions that emphasise change effects, surprise, experimentation and manipulation. Through my images I want to challenge, manipulate, experiment, confuse, provoke and dare.

I continued to enjoy experimenting in a number of diverse photographic fields including commercial, wedding, portraiture and landscape photography, however, it was the more “abstract” photography that excited and engaged me the most. I can still remember shooting a wedding couple standing in front of this rusted, paint peeling, derelict shed and thinking “ooohhh those textures”. I just wanted to get in close and capture the beauty that this old shed had to offer.

I decided to pursue my passion and a career change to Photography in 2006. Scoring a consultant job at one of Perth’s leading professional photography laboratories was the next step in my photographic journey. It was so exciting to work side by side with other creative minds and for the first time, be totally immersed in this industry. Everyday I felt so fortunate to be exposed to such a wealth of industry knowledge - not only photographic, but also now the printing and business side. 

My days were spent drooling over amazing imagery, observing other photographer’s styles develop, learning from and watching master printers and most significantly (without really realising it at the time) creating a network of inspiring, artistic friends who continue, long after my time at the lab, to play a really special role in my own photographic career.

Starting to build confidence in my own, unique photographic style, I held my first, solo exhibition in 2009 titled “Side Tracked”. It was such a brilliant experience! It was about so much more than just my photography. It was the whole creative process from shooting, choosing images, printing, the layout, naming, designing, marketing, selling…. I was so in my element. Since then I have been fortunate to be involved in more exhibitions, with the most recent being “Developed”, a solo exhibition which was a part of FotoFreo 2012 in March.

The BIGGEST step of all for me both personally and professionally was made six months ago when, together with my husband and fur kid, I abandoned the big city life (of Perth anyway) and moved to the Great Southern region. I have become a regular stallholder at local markets over the past summer where I have enjoyed showing my abstract photography work to the public. It has been an interesting ride, putting your heart and soul out there for people to see and judge.

The response and support of my images has been overwhelming. Being involved with markets has taught me a lesson in the importance of product diversity and I have been more recently immersed in the new creative pursuit of product development. How can I make my images more accessible, more appealing? I was back to being that child in art class, getting sticky glue fingers, having a heap of fun experimenting with new surfaces and finishes.Lately I've been experimenting with a new technique of transferring my images to stone, making coasters, wall hangings, brooches and magnets. I'm loving where this image transfer process is taking me........ next I'm going to be tackling jewellery!!

My most recent project is currently converting an old shed on our new property into a photographic art gallery where I not only plan to showcase my own abstract photography work but hold workshops and display guest artists. Located halfway between Albany and Denmark on Torbay Hill it is scheduled to open in time for the 2012 Great Southern Art Trail. I am also in the process of setting up a shopping cart online which people can purchase my wares through although it hasn't gone live yet ! Watch this space ! At this stage any order enquiries can be made by filling out the 'contact me' form on my blog.

Do want to see more lovely readers ? Here is how you can connect :

browse the Meleah Farrell website/blog at :  www.meleahfarrell.com.au

and
follow Meleah on facebook here : www.facebook.com/pages/Meleah-Farrell-Abstract-Photographer/117244788327908

Dark Shadows - Wednesday Wishes

Last night, Maddabling went on a date night with her lovely hubby, we went to the movies and saw Dark Shadows. It was a very dark and funny film, we are definately fans. This Wednesday Wishes is inspired by oddities and dark romantic shadows - enjoy x

                          Light blue and black knit Victorian inspired coat by hhfashions

                    
                         Ivory Felt and Black Lace Bow Pin Brooch by mrsbowthemummy

        Entrance- from Basement series-12x10 Fine Art Photo Print by smeretactics

                Vintage Doll Head in Colosseum Box,Clock Faces by SecretWorkshop

                          Kambriel Moire Midnight Bustle Ensemble by kambriel

Days 1 - 7 of the 21 Day Elle Moss Photo Challenge

Happy Sunny Sunday readers. Maddabling wishes all mums out there an extra special mothers day - I hope you are spoilt thoroughly ! 
Recently, Samara of Maddabling decided to take on a new creative task through the Elle Moss Photography 21 Day Photo Challenge. The idea is simple - take a photo every day using a set topic. This is the list currently being followed :

You can follow the progress of all artists participating in this challenge here : http://ellemoss.blogspot.com.au/. I am quite passionate about this project and the challenges it it bringing my way - I feel compelled to share with you all my photos from the first seven days - I hope you love viewing them as much as I enjoyed creating them ! Stay tuned for days 8-14 next Sunday xo 

day 1. favourite color(s)

day 2. trees

day 3. little things

day 4. rainbow

day 5. architecture

day 6. low to the ground

day 7. signs

Friday Friends - DUSTy Divas - Pop Goes the Weasel

Welcome lovely readers to another edition of Friday Friends. The VAC Mothers Day Market is over for another year and Mothers Day is nearly here. Wishing all the mums out there the happiest of Mothers Days. Maddabling has been away from home again for work this week and is happy to be home again. They say home is where the heart is. The vege patch has been replanted with carrots, broccolini, spinach, rainbow chard, spring and red onions, snow peas and dwarf beans for the cooler months, and I noticed that there is a lemon almost ready to pick from the lemon tree.

This week I have a new Friday Friend and DUSTy Diva ( who is also a fellow West Aussie) for you to meet - say hello to Casey from Pop Goes the Weasel !

Casey makes the most darling of button earrings, rings and bookmarks, I have chosen four pairs of my fave earrings to share with you today - aren't they just too cute ?

Time now readers, to put your feet up and find a little bit of time to have a read and a cup of tea, indulge in the Pop Goes the Weasel Fairytale. Have a lovely weekend everyone xo

The Pop Goes the Weasel Fairytale

Pop Goes the Weasel consists of one person..me! Who am I? Casey Buttons! People often ask me if that is my real last name. Sadly, it is not. I was given the nickname by my friends because I make button accessories. I love crafting, horse riding, playing with my parrots and foster greyhound, playing video games and spending time with my lovely boyfriend. Apart from making goodies for Pop Goes the Weasel, I work part time and I am also studying to become a horse riding instructor.

Right from a little girl, I have loved to be crafty. My mum worked at a child care centre and had this awesome resource folder filled with art activities for kids. One day mum brought them home because the centre was just going to throw them out! I didn't understand all the grown up notes, but I understood the crafty examples! I remember sitting outside in the sunshine 'teaching' my dolls how to finger paint or how to make a masterpiece by blowing bubbles in dishwashing liquid and food dye and putting a piece of paper on top of it!

Pop Goes the Weasel is a relatively new name that I adopted when I moved from Brisbane to Perth 2 years ago. Fresh start, fresh name! I started making button accessories around that time after I saw yoyo makers and button components at an art and craft fair. Back in Brisbane I sold a few paintings under a different name and also started making felt brooches.

My inspiration is drawn from cute fabric, childhood memories (so cliche I know!) and animals. Oh and buttons! I absolutely love the old leather buttons that you see sewn on vintage coats! If I find a cute button, I will buy it even if I don't know what to do with it! I also really love the whole traditional housewife thing - sewing, knitting, crocheting, home cooked meals - even though I am FAR from a traditional    housewife! I swear I should have been alive in the 50's! I love working with fabric, especially from Japan. The prints are small enough for my earrings and brooches and they are always super cute! I am quite picky with what fabric/prints I use; I have to really love it to use it. 

At the moment, I make button earrings, rings and bookmarks, and button and felt brooches. I have just completed a few pairs of yoyo earrings and I have a few other ideas I want to make prototypes for that steer away from accessories all together (very exciting!).

My favourite designs would have to be my felt brooches (I created the patterns for them completely from scratch) and the cute button brooches with rabbits and deer. I also love my good old plain black button earrings, I wear my pair pretty much every day! They just go with everything!

Very soon I will be launching the vintage side of Pop Goes the Weasel so that will be exciting! My dream would be to quit my day job and make craft a career, but there is a lot of work to be done before that happens. I hope to launch new handmade lines in the next 6 months and am DETERMINED to make regular posts on my blog! I always find that so difficult!

Dear readers - do you want to explore the Pop Goes the Weasel fairytale some more? Here is how you can connect !

Buy lovely things from Etsy here: 

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/popgoestheweaselwa

Connect on Facebook here : 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/popgtw

Read interesting things on the Pop Goes The Weasel Blog here : 

http://www.popgtw.wordpress.com

and follow sweet tweets on Twitter here : 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/popgtw

*Note - most of the wonderful photographs featured in this blog post are courtesy of  Penny Says Photography - you can check out her work here : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-Says-Photography/330151130344518