Marc Bauer Maison

Marc Bauer Maison

is a Sumi-e artist, living and working in Stratford.  His work is fresh, present and alive.  He only works from live models, be they his faithful model Debbie or an orchid, or a rabbit.  I had the honour to photo graph him for  Start Stratford at his home, and also at a makeshift studio at a home that had been sold and was waiting for the owners to take possession.  I am unsure has to how he finds these spaces...but of all the artists I know, I believe Marc should have a studio.  His home is full to the brim with his work!  He needs somewhere to display, to sell.  Anyhow-Marc's model Debbie said I was welcome to come and take photos of their session one day...the room at this sold house was hot(for the nude model)and quite small...I made my way around the room as inconspicuously as I could...I still felt in the way.  But Marc and Debbie were so gracious...at the end of the session(about 7 minutes)Marc gave me the painting.  A very sweet, sensitive artist, who lost his wife(and the mother to their three adopted girls)in 2005 to breast cancer.  I really loved meeting him and am trying to encourage my husband to purchase some of his work.  I tried to make the portrait of him as quick and easy as possible, as he does not like to have his picture taken...there's a pattern here!  For the shots in the sold house-I was going to add an off camera flash(a new 'skill' I am trying out), but I felt the situation called for immediate work-and I just used natural light(always my preference...).  I am one lucky gal, getting to photograph all these folks.

Cynthia Dale

I interviewed Canadian triple threat Cynthia Dale for our magazine Start Stratford in February. I took her photo a little later, after rehearsals(for 42nd Street at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival)in the Chambers Lounge at the Avon Theatre. It was quiet and she'd just had another photo shoot with a young student, so she was 'in the zone' and not uncomfortable whatsoever. I took about twenty photos, in various locals around the lounge, and when I quickly took a peek at them, wasn't satisfied. We finished and she seemed relieved, and started putting on her coat. As she tied her scarf, I thought, "I have to get another one." and as we were leaving, I asked her for one more. "Sure." she said, gracious as always. "Should I take my coat off?" "No." I replied and had her stand by the door. I scooted outside and took this photo on the left. It is really one of my favourite photos. I love how far away and fragile she seems, so not Cynthia Dale...this other photo(on the right) is more like the persona that we see. The fun, strong, focused performer. I must always listen to my intuition, for it is most always right.

Leslie Watts

This is contemporary realist painter Leslie Watts, who lives here in Stratford. Her work is truly breathtaking. I interviewed her(for the magazine)in her home, and we spent more than two hours chatting. It has been almost a year since I began interviewing and taking photos, and I have to say I think I have learned the most about being an artist from her. From her I learned that it takes time and commitment to be an artist of any kind. Most humbling. One day, I think I may have the time to devote myself totally to photography and writing. Leslie really emphasized that this was necessary.

On taking her photo, she was really willing and relaxed. At one point, I tried to get her to pose in a certain way and said something like, "I would never sit like that!" It made me laugh at myself. Trying to get control in that way is not MY way. Looking for a more natural approach, I'll endeavour to try to read a sitting with more sensitivity and spontaneity.

I had a great time chatting with her. A new friend.

Peter

I interviewed Peter for our magazine in June of 2010. After we talked, he allowed me to take some photos, and for this particular one, he led me down to the stream that runs behind his house. He took me to the edge where a large tree had fallen, an old weeping willow. As I was clicking away, Peter stopped me and said, "Why don't we switch places? There is better shot looking down this way." So we switched and I took this photo. The light under the bridge says so much about Peter's journey at this point in his life-and the fallen tree too. It's an observation though-not a prediction. I am so grateful Peter turned me around...

You can read about Peter in the July issue of Start Stratford Arts and Culture Magazine

Peter died after a courageous fight with cancer, on January 8, 2011

John Miller

John is the Artistic Director of Stratford Summer Music, a successful music festival that happens here every summer. I was taking John's photo for an online arts magazine that I am a co-founder of called Start Stratford He was kind and enthusiastic when I arrived and was very open to any ideas I had. He was not shy about having his photo taken, so the shoot went pretty smoothly. This is my favourite portrait to date. I think it says a great deal about who John is...a mayoral quality. This is my intent for portraiture-to capture both the obvious( and not so obvious), as I continue the dive-though perhaps its a dive upwards, in ascension? I shall try.

You can read about John in the July 2010 issue of Start Stratford Arts and Culture Magazine.

Scott & Marion

Scott and Marion have been together for almost 25 years. Both have been actors, in the US and here in Canada-but what is truly inspiring about them is their ability to reinvent themselves. Scott is now not only an actor(he is in a new TV series called "Baxter", shooting in Toronto), he also a director(Shakespeare's LLL in Santa Cruz CA this summer)and playwright. Marion is an award winning librettist and presently has a new musical appearing in Phoenix, AZ called All The More to Love. I really enjoyed taking their portraits for our new online arts magazine called Start Stratford. They were very flexible, receptive and ultimately made it very easy for me relax and have fun.

I wanted to show them as I see them-still in love, incredibly comfortable with each other. They are both incredibly intelligent, funny, and open. Their ever expanding creativity is truly an inspiration.

A healthy relationship is contagious.

mark

Mark has been acting for 20 years or so now and lives in Vancouver, but is originally from South Western Ontario. I've know Mark for many years and he is a funny, up beat guy who admitted to me that he did not like having his picture taken. Sigh. I shall strive through this endeavour to find a way(or many ways, I'm sure)to help folks feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Sure, a great big vortex staring you in the face can be intimidating! Anyhow, I asked Mark if I could take his picture(he was visiting us here at home). He said yes and, after a visit to the mirror, sat down, ready to go. What a guy! I didn't take too many shots of Mark, due to time constraints, but I think these turned out well. A more formal-informal portrait would be nice to take in his home in Vancouver. Mark seemed pretty relaxed to start, although he kept making goofy faces and talked a lot about his new T.V. series, Stargate Universe, which is meant to be fantastic! Perhaps he wasn't so relaxed after all. I would have liked(again) to get him to look at me in the colour shot. It was easy for me to direct Mark to look out the window-harder, though, to help him bust through his anxiety and look at the camera. This, of course, is mostly due to my inexperience. Uh. I must remind my subjects(and myself)to breath!