Look Up, Look Down, Look Sideways

One of the several hats I wear when I work is that of an arts workshop facilitator. Recently I had the very great pleasure of meeting lots of talented young people at the Museum of London's family festival. Taking inspiration from my interests in walking and digital arts, I encouraged them to look up, look down and look sideways as they travelled around the Museum, taking photographs and tracking themselves using GPS on an iPad. When they returned from their journey we looked at where the satellites thought they'd been and asked whether machines can really know where you are or remember where you've been. Does looking help you find yourself and the camera help you remember? What does your memory look like if you make one picture from it? Below is an overview of the stellar layered artworks I helped them create from their photographs.

Not that I play favourites...but these were some of my favourites.

Because glitter

Can't lie, it's because I was so flattered to be included in this one...(look past the neon skull).

Above and below were created by two sisters from the same walk. I love that they came up with  works that were similar but different from the images they shot together.

The starburst detail of the top image and the additional maps included in this make me very happy indeed.

The children printed off their images to take their art home. They also had the opportunity to further decorate the printouts; I liked the clash of the tactile, analogue world with that of the ephemeral, digital one - and the careful placement of these shiny stickers was so meticulously done!

Afterwards the Museum was kind enough to send me these images as well as the screenshots of the routes everyone walked (or that the bots thought they walked...) 

I am increasingly using walking not only as exercise, but as meditation and as a form of mindful activity aimed at rooting (ha!) myself more fully in my own life. Obviously this then expands into my artistic practice and photographic work because I can't help the one bleeding into the other. I'm making a series of 'walkwork' collages combined with digital drawing and photographs, which you can see some of on my Instagram. I'm not sure whether these 'routes' will be used for anything else in the future or if I will just carry on using them as a jumping-off point but here are several ways of looking at the 33 walks, using a variety of automated editing techniques. 

 
 

I run workshops for cultural organisations and in schools for the most part, but can happily design something for private groups too. Please do get in touch via my website if you are interested in finding out more.

Aunt

Christine, Oxford, November

And now for a portrait of Mummy Leedale

Gadding

Swans and scum and seven kinds of blossom, burned-out trees and churches, Leedale Junior flipping me some v's, and ice-creams so big they make you squinty. A good day on the river.

Catching up, part one - Freddie's Christening

A month or two ago I went to the crazy-beautiful church St. Bartholomew the Great, near Smithfields Market, to photograph Freddie's christening. I photographed his first birthday party earlier in the year and it was great to see him looking so much more grown-up already! 

 The interior of the church is simply stunning. Incense curling through the air diffuses the light deliciously.

 Freddie's mum adjusts his outfit.

A slightly over-excited little boy!

 In the choir stalls.

 The vicar delivered a witty and moving sermon...

 ...even though Freddie himself was easily distracted.

 Proud parents and godparents.

 The beautiful mother and somewhat startled baby!

 A doting grandmother.

 Madonna and child.

 The gorgeous interior.

Those eyes! Sweet enough to give you toothache.

If you have a new baby, an important family event, or would just like some natural and beautiful shots of your children, you can find all my contact details on my website: katherineleedale.com/contact

Carrapateira, aka Wonderland

It's been a couple of weeks since I returned from a trip to Portugal and I'm still daydreaming about this lovely land. The photographs below are from a week my family and I spent near Carrapateira in the Algarve. Our tiny hamlet, Vilarinha, consisted of six or so houses, all beautifully renovated.

Leedale Junior

The scramble down to the local beach.

 Jessica catches the breeze.

Holiday essentials.

 Late night iPadding.

Vilarinha

 A day trip to nearby Lagos.

Selfie pulling superweird face.

 Leedale senior.

 Nom.

Coming up next...ABANDONED VILLAS!