guest photographer: susannah conway

(This is the last week I have to work on my book before I turn the final manuscript in to my publisher; as such, my blogging may be a bit spotty. Nonetheless, keep checking back: there are couple of outstanding offers to provide a few guest posts by some talented photographer friends I really admire, so you never know who might show up.

Today, meet Susannah Conway. I had the opportunity to meet Susannah about a year and a half ago while traveling in England; she's so intriguing that I wrote about her here. I love her work -- there's such a haunting quality to it -- and she's magical with film photography. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do. -- Ed.)

I can't paint or draw. I can scrawl a straight line on a piece of paper and I've tried interesting things with paint and cut-up magazines, but when it comes to creating something pleasing to the eye, I'm a no-hoper. But here's the kicker: it really doesn't bother me any more, because, in all honesty, I'd rather take a Polaroid. My Polaroid camera is my paint brush; the film my canvas. I paint with light and shadow, and nothing makes me happier than watching that creamy square of film develop into something magical. I believe we can all find the medium that suits us, whether it's paint, pixels, food or yarn. Maybe you've turned making your bed into an art form; perhaps your garden is a symphony of colour and scent. I have a friend who wears scarves twisted into the most wonderful shapes; another whose poetry moves me to tears. Each day is an opportunity for a creative adventure; there's so much to see, so much to experience and cherish. Let's explore it with our stitches and brush strokes, our scribbles and our beautifully shined shoes ...

Photo by Susannah Conway