There are times when I would like to stop thinking about anything and just devote myself to some creative activity. It doesn't matter which, but without other commitments and thoughts. A month away from everything and everyone: a dream! Does this happen to you too? Wanting to unplug from everyday life and create something happens to me regularly. My daily commitments often hinder me and I certainly cannot realize the projects I have in mind, but I still try to carve out my time.

Sometimes my projects come up very spontaneously, other times I realize them in stages: the ideas swirl around in my mind for a long time where they are partly already worked out, then comes the writing phase, where I write notes and where the ideas are further outlined. These processes happen in stages, when I have a few moments of time. Instead, I usually try to carve out at least half a day for practice, in which I dedicate myself to the project without interruptions or other commitments. At the end of these creative hours I am always happy and relaxed, even if the concrete results may not satisfy me: what counts is having carved out hours of creativity! My tastes vary and are many: from yarn processing to sewing, from painting techniques to photography. 

The latest project that has given me a lot of satisfaction and that I would like to take up and explore further is that of cyanotype combined with photography and post processing. I had made prints of fresh and dried flowers using the cyanotype technique (if you want to know more, read the project description in the Projects section of my page) and then photographed them with the Lensbaby Sol45 artistic lens.                                                                                                    If you know me, you know how much I love this American brand, which has made me ‘find a home’ in my artistic photographic expression. 

In the cyanotype project I deliberately chose the Sol45, because I wanted to give the shot the kind of blur that only this lens can give. The Sol45 is a 45mm lens at f3.5 fixed and tiltable so you can move the focal point, which is always surrounded by beautiful bokeh. The effect is stunning! And I wanted to use it to make unique cyanotype prints. Finally, I processed the photographs in Photoshop, in some cases changing the colors (so that I did not just have the typical blue of the cyanotype) and adding textures to give an extra artistic touch. Three techniques of ‘different ages’ combined: a perfect mix! I had a lot of fun and liked the results immediately. I had achieved my goal: to be creative while having fun.   I must point out how important it is for me to carve out creative time for the sole purpose of feeling good. I am not looking for appreciation, when I am creative I don't think about whether my work might be liked or not. It is also true that it gives me enormous pleasure when the results are appreciated, as in the case of this work. 

I was asked to create some cards and you friends chose which ones to print. I felt so honored that I created cards in a different guise from the usual ones, changing the design and adding famous phrases. Seeing your own work printed is of course the closing of the circle and is very satisfying.

I would also add that since I got to know the brand Lensbaby with its unique products in 2019, my photographic creativity has benefited a lot. If you have never tried these lenses, it is hard to explain: personally, I have found what I can use to express my visions already in the shooting phase.

I have recently become a happy ambassador of this brand: if you have any questions please contact me via the form on my website or directly on Fb or Instagram, I will be happy to help J