I enjoy photography. Although I dont call myself a photographer, I love to take my camera and go for a walk down the Otaki riverbed, through the nearby bush or even just around the house and garden. There is always something that catches my eyes and sometimes I spend hours to get an image how I like it. I guess it is some form of relaxation.

Over time I have noticed that I am shooting a lot of close ups, so I invested in a macro lens to be able to capture even more details and texture to inspire and inform my art.

This was when I realized that there is a whole new world to discover, well not new but hardly noticed and overlooked before. I was aware that there are lots of lichens growing where I live, able now to get much closer with the lens, revealing lichens beauty.

Lichens captured by Birgit Moffatt Lichens captured by Birgit Moffatt Lichens captured by Birgit Moffatt Lichens captured by Birgit MoffattLichens close up

Lichens captured by Birgit Moffatt img_8424
These two images showing lichens growing on asphalt and concrete and made me thinking how I could combine textiles and concrete… watch this space!

Using a concrete as a new medium in my arts practice means I have to do some research about techniques and possibilities the new material offers, health and safety issues involved, but also finding inspirations from artists who are already work with concrete. Thanks pinterest & Co. and I found a few artists working with concrete and fibres. Marlies Hoevers is the one whos work has inspired me most; from a creative point of view as well as the visually and aesthetically appearance of her pieces. Interesting also that she identifies herself as a textile artist working with concrete. Here are some examples of her work.

Almost_There_marlies_hoevers_small-300x300 explore_1920-300x300 marlies_hoevers_low5-1024x1024 marlies_hoevers_san_francisco_1920_low-300x300 Marlies_Hoevers_Tremble-1024x1024Moving_on_Marlies_hoevers_website-1024x1024

I can wait to get into my studio tomorrow and start exploring.