Woah! Its been canny mad like….

Arcadea Disability Arts Animation
by Jo Howell

Things have been intensely busy! I have been working between 4 and 6 days a week doing my regular workshops with both Arcadea Disability Arts and The Art Studio Sunderland.

I've barely had time to sit down at the computer to keep my usual things updated, as I have also had quite a few photography jobs alongside the workshops!

Recently I have worked with some really great artists photographing their works. You can see some of my new commercial glass and ceramic images on my website (as I have also found the time to update that!

Arcadea Disability Arts making robots
by Jo Howell

The Art Studio Sunderland bookmaking
by Jo Howell

 I have been working across a number of mediums as usual, ranging from numerous animation projects, printmaking outreach sessions, photography, and I have been working on my new Sunderland themed painted photograph collection.

The work is really coming along and I have already found a great way to launch the work into the public domain. I am exclusively printing and signing a very limited edition run of the new work for the North East Enterprise Trust. Who will be selling it as part of a collection of artworks, in order to raise funds for social enterprise in the North East.

If you would like more information on the project or would like to purchase one of these exclusive art bonds then please contact Mike Storey: mike@thneet.org

Not only will you have the chance to own a wonderful collection of artwork but you will also be supporting a great cause in the process, so its win-win really. You'd be crazy not to!

North East Enterprise Trust write-up for the bond fundraising project, to raise money for social enterprise in the North East of England. To get involved email Mike Neet mike@theneet.org

Follow me on Facebook for more updates or check out my website to contact me directly!

New beginnings: The Art Studio Sunderland

Arcadea Disability Arts scallectrix set
Photo by Jo Howell Photography 2013

Its been a while since my last blog update, but time just seems to be getting away from me these days. I am currently working flat out doing a minimum of 4 days a week as a workshop leader/sessional artist for 2 charities. I have been working with Arcadea Disability Arts for a while now and I still really love my 2 days a week there. Our latest project that we are working on is a zombie film for halloween which is proving to be challenging but very fun!

Work at The Art Studio Sunderland
Photo by Jo Howell Photography

My other 2 days a week are with The Art Studio, Sunderland, where I am spending my time working with the members on an individual basis showing them how to record their work, and helping them to create inline blogs. The work and the people are great, but there's a lot going on so I have found myself winding down my pin-hole project until I can get more time during the day (sunlight.... quite necessary to the exposures...).

Phil Vickery Glass Vortex Pod
Photo by Jo Howell Photograph

I have also been working with Phil Vickery Glass on the production of a new process film for YouTube. This film has so far been 3 months in the making but will be finished and ready for release in December 2013. in the meantime you can checkout our funny trailer if you simply cannot wait!

On top of all of this I have photographed a gorgeous kiln formed shot glass made by
Irena Czepcová. This proved to be an interesting photohoot as I had very limited equipment due to my studio lights being pinched. I only had 2 speedlites that luckily I keep with me at all times, and the detail inside this very small object was captured very carefully using my macro lens. I was very pleased with the shoot because it reminded me that I can still be a resourceful photographer when the situation calls for it! 

Irena Czepcova Kiiln formed shot glass
Photo by Jo Howell Photography

Lighthouse, by Jo Howell 2013

Speaking of being resourceful, I have begun collating together a large catalogue of my images from around Sunderland and the North, to produce a hyper-real series of hand-painted photographs. This has been a good way to keep creating my own work whilst having other things to do during the day when I would usually be taking photographs.


So things are all going great and I promise I will try to check in again soon. in the meantime you can follow my comings and goings via facebook or you can check up on me via The Art Studio Sunderland Blog.

Ta ta for now! 
www.maverickart.co.uk 

Pin Hole Photography of Sunderland

Sunderland Bridge Pin Hole Camera Photograph
by Jo Howell Photography

In preparation for a project with Arcadea Disability Arts and Next Stop Byker, I decided to have a go at creating a couple of pin-hole cameras and take some shots near my studio. The day was a lovely bright day with a few clouds skittering across the sky.

Pin Hole Cameras made using powdered milk tins
by Jo Howell Photography

I turned part of my studio into a darkroom and loaded the cameras with highly suspect fibre-based paper. (I say  highly suspect because I wasn't entirely sure if the chemicals might have gone off as the paper was left over from Uni 5 years ago!)

Anyway, as it happens some of the attempts worked better than others but I was getting some interesting results. I have decided to continue creating cameras and I intend to create a body of work using the images, possibly moving into hand colouring or adding to the images created in some way.

From the studio looking out
by Jo Howell Photography

Keep you eyes peeled for more in the coming months. If you would like to see the full album of images please check out my Facebook page.

Thats all for now folks! 

www.maverickart.co.uk

Workshops coming out of the wazoo!

Blue card animation
by Jo Howell Photography

I'm sorry I haven't been able to keep up with my blogging as much lately. I have been working on an array of workshops and commissioned projects which have kept me superbly busy!

Since Christmas I have been working on 2 different animation and film projects with Arcadea Disability Arts. One for the release of the new Blue Card scheme in Newcastle, and one with another group called "The Enchantment project".

The Enchantment Project workshop
by Jo Howell Photography

On both projects I am there to help the people in the group to create artworks and sets for the animations, and then to help them with the lighting, shooting and editing. The projects have been great fun so far and the work produced has been very inventive.

Blue Card animation set
by Jo Howell

I've also taken on another filmmaking project with the National Glass Centre where I help groups to create a film about Sunderland's craft heritage. You'll have to wait for more info on that one when the National Glass Centre re-opens in June 2013.

Alongside all that I have moved to a new studio space in St Peters Wharf, Sunderland, where I have continued with various commercial photographic and filmmaking jobs; and my illustration work with National Energy Action.

Thats all for now. More on my other projects like The Big Picture coming soon.

Follow Jo Howell on facebook or twitter or for more information go to maverickart.co.uk