musings

Is it March already? Time really does fly when you're havingfun doesn't it?

In this months musings we have photographs and an interviewwith Dan Cattermole asking him questions about his photoswhich may or may not be a good idea.

There is a little article called 'Sensational Sakura' whichexplores my obsession with the cherry blossom.

Intermingled as always will be pictures, quotes and , well .....musings

DavieNext month I hope to have an article on vintage clothes, asubject close to my heart. As well as that there will be Part2 of the excellent article by Chris Dodkin featuring his 'Yearin Cameras'

The Earth does notbelong to us; webelong to the Earth.

Take only memories,leave nothing butfootprints

Chief Seattle

Can I play with madness?

This months feature has the possibility of getting away from me, rapidly.Dan Cattermole takes pictures that are .... Challenging to say the least buton a fundamental level the light and tone of these are beautifully dark andsinister, and I for one, love that !

I asked him various questions and I swear on all that is holy these were hisanswers ..

(DH) I'm almost afraid to ask, what would you say is your inspiration?

(DC) In literal terms, It all started when I was in the music scene lookingfor Santa Claus in the Siberian desert, riding on an elk whilst AmanitaMuscaria became my predominant choice of stimulation.... Santa Clauswas never found.

After a long and strenuous chunk of my life was unsuccessfully dedicated tomusic, touring, and making the most of zero commitments, my interest inimagery/photog got the better of me when my guitars came to their finalpluck.One by one, the mixture if string and wood disappeared in exchange forcash.

I'd see many of album covers and spend a great deal of time in storesadmiring them to the extent where an assistant would feel the need to askme if I was "going to purchase that" or "Do I need any help?".I was lucky not to have those men in white coats come pick me up.

I didn't look for bands/artists in particular, I ventured for album coversthat caught my eye within an instant.This was my next passion, to create eye candy.... But what?

I picked up an entry level DSLR, and started out in the digital sceneproperly. Film was too expensive to experiment light painting with, andPhotoshop was like a chimp performing brain surgery (me being thechimp). I only knew how to compose and play music let alone turn acomputer on.I set my sights on light painting.... But still didn't know exactly what.

I wanted to captivate people leadingthem to the 'How' question, and maybe'why'. I'd seen a few light paintedfigures before, stick men, animals, andsome pretty rough around the edgelight mummies which led me to expandon that which had inspired me.I gave it a go, in the snow whilst myneighbours watched my lunacy out oftheir top window, maybe I got myselfthe 'why' I was looking for, andjudging on their faces, certainly anadded 'WTF'.

To add further mystery to my fellowneighbours, I celebrated like a kidoverdosing on E numbers having aroyal (maybe that was the minus 8 cand half a bottle of something strongto blame).This was my breakthrough! TheMummy Saga began, and myneighbours were scared!

I'd experiment LOADS!!! I've only everdisplayed about 5% of light paintedimages that I've done. The rest nevergot to pass the delete happy finger.I could always photograph flora,landscapes, architecture etc. but I'd ofput the camera down a long time ago ifthat was the only option and foundenjoyment elsewhere.People who have known me for awhile, including family, know thatmonotony is not a option for me, My'stimulation is fuelled by oddity'someone once said....... No offencetaken, at least I've found my method tosatisfy myself.Maybe I will find Santa Claus........

For me looking at Dan's workI get the feeling of pushingthe boundaries, but not fromhis point of view. I get thefeeling that this is Dan justdoing what Dan does andthat is something I both loveand respect.... His vision ofthe shot is amazing andwhatever 'props' he uses arealways for a reason.

A huge thanks to Dan forallowing me to show his workand his answers about hisinspiration, and most of all Ihope he carries on doing histhing with as muchenthusiasm as he clearly has.

All photographs by Dan Cattermole

Am I theonly one whoviews thesesigns as aninvitationrather thana warning?

Sensational Sakura

Is the Cherry Blossom just a flower? Not for me,no. For me they are the inspiration for the tattooson my left arm, a feeling of new beginnings, avibrant blast of colour that refuses to allow me tobe down and last but not least beautiful to lookat. Even in the final throws of it's life it providesa carpet of pink to carry you lightly on your way.

Of course there is a massive cultural scene inJapan regarding the Cherry Blossom that can andhas filled books but this is what they mean to me.

All hail the Cherry Blossom !!

All photographs by Davie Hudson

There a re very few boots with such a recognisable profile as the LLBean Duck Boot. Completely functional with an anti-fashion slantthat is so wrong it's right.

These boots have a massive cult following and I'll admit thatincludes me as both these pairs are mine.

If these posters don't inspire wanderlust then I feelnothing will. They have so much ingrained hope andvitality that the urge to be transported into the image,for me, is almost overwhelming. These were made back inthe days when quality was paramount and time wastaken by artists to create something special.

I'm seeing tweed, brown leather, ladies and gentlemen inhats, politeness and an air of expectation that these dayshas gone. I see these pictures and I think of TrevorHoward and Celia Johnson in 'Brief Encounter', I think ofthe romance, the people, the meeting of strangers... canyou imagine the kind of strangers you'd meet on amodern train?, because for some reason we as a countrycan't seem to embark on a journey without alcohol andthat I'm afraid is sad to me.

I will at some time in the near future do an article onvintage clothing and their owners, but for now feastyour eyes on 2 of my blanket coats ... I love these things