SPOTLIGHT ON... Rachel Wallace

We delve into the intricate process behind the artist's photography, as she gears up to exhibit at London's Saatchi Gallery.

Tell us a little about what you do and your creative process. 

I am a creative photographer working with photographs and mixed media to engage others with the natural world. I work most days from my studio at Turville Studios, just under the windmill from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. 

My practice explores the interplay between ourselves, land and nature, addressing the issues of life, death, and decay. I take my inspiration from nature in all its forms, photographing not only what is in front of me, but also creating still life pictures from items gathered on walks and travels, and working in alternative methods to traditional chemical photography.

I often montage and layer print on print, or fold, paint or stitch onto my own prints.

What made you decide to focus on photography?

It's something I’ve always done. From a young age, I was given a camera and learnt to develop and print my own films in the attic with my father. I’ve never felt able to paint or draw, although I am beginning to experiment with that now, but a photograph is a way for me to express what I feel about something. I'm predominantly self-taught, but later in life I did a PG Cert in Art Photography and, more recently, a Master's.

Where do you find creative inspiration? 

Everywhere! I have previously been a commercial photographer for weddings, portraits and equine photography, as well as more unusually, funerals. I am interested in people as well as the world of nature.

I describe myself as a biophile – someone interested in anything living, but also a thanatophile, someone interested in death. I believe that we need to come to a better acceptance of death, and I use my work to illustrate that in a gentle manner.

Our life cycles are finite and there is beauty to be seen in the rhythms of both the beginnings and endings of life.

What helps you get out of a creative rut?  

Going for a walk. I live (and work) on the edge of woodland; if I need a break I simply step outside and walk among the trees. I know each one well and often stop to address them as friends, noticing if they have lost a branch, or been felled by the wind. Trees feature greatly in my work and I am known as ‘that woman who photographs trees’! I also find visiting exhibitions in other media a way of unblocking – seeing other artists and how they express themselves can be so refreshing.

Describe your typical working day 

No day is typical, which is one of the things I love about my work. I may have a shoot in mind, entailing travelling to the location, waiting for the weather and light to be right (I use natural light), or I may be setting up a still life. Other days I will be in the studio editing or scanning, and printing. I print my own work so I can ensure it’s shown exactly as I see it with correct colours and tones. I also use a variety of papers – preferably sustainable Hemp or Bamboo. I am certified Carbon Literate by the Carbon Literacy Project. 

Once printed, I may then add to the work with other prints, paint, folding, stitching etc. I like to play with the print and have a hands-on experience with it. I also give tuition on a 1:1 and small group basis – not so much about how to take a photo but how to look at your work, improve it, edit and analyse it as well as printing and technical tips.

What's the best thing about working at the Turville Studios?

It’s a beautiful location in the Chiltern hills, there is a pub opposite, and it’s good to have other artists (there are five others) around to chat to or bounce ideas off..

Best nugget of wisdom to share with your fellow Creative Ducks? 

Never be afraid to promote yourself. I used to hold back from talking about my work and my successes, thinking it was bragging. But now I realise that both creatives and non-creatives want to know what an artist does, how they work and what they are achieving. If you aren’t confident about your work, no-one else will be. My problem is that once I start talking about it, I can't stop!

What’s next for you?

My current series will be shown in the Saatchi Gallery next month (June 13 - July 27). I am also showing some tree and landscape work in my studio on June 1. I'm starting a new series of still lives called Gathered and Placed and playing with lumen prints and a very messy process involving smoked glass and plant materials.

Where can we find out more? 

Turville Studios have Open Sundays (first Sunday of each month), or contact me to have look in your own time. I offer tuition on a need-to-know basis – you can have as few or as many sessions as you need to get you going, or through a creative rut.

See more of Rachel's work at www.racheljwallace.com and on Instagram @rachelj_artphoto