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.