Why I Still Shoot Film

Something inspiring happens when I shoot using analogue cameras. Loading film takes me back to the time I spent studying photography, learning the art and science. I whiled away afternoons in the darkroom with smelly chemicals and looking on in delight as images gradually appeared, as if by magic.  

I take the discipline of shooting on film seriously. It brings a whole new perspective to my photography. It forces me to slow down, which is a good thing in this day and age. Graininess and little imperfections on the images are charming and turn each photograph into something organic and unique.

Simply put, shooting film takes me off into a different world, a world which is out of the ordinary.

New Faces of Spring Fling 2015

Since moving to Dumfriesshire in November 2013, I have bought every issue of Dumfries and Galloway Life that has been on sale. Reading the magazine is a wonderful way of finding out about everything happening in the region, especially for us newbies to the area.

Another great thing about living in this region is Spring Fling, Scotland's Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event and in the latest issue of D&G Life, (April 2015) on page 92-94 there is a lovely introduction to the new faces of Spring Fling. See if you can spot the photograph Fragile Nature, as I am one of the new artists selected to take part. I'm over the moon!

Preparations are underway to make sure everything is ready and I'm looking forward to throwing open the studio doors and welcoming visitors. 

Please save the dates...23-25th May 2015. 

More details about Spring Fling 2015 and all the artists taking part here. 

Laura x

Pop-Up Photography Galleries

Hello, here's a quick update on LHM Fine Art Pop-Up Galleries happening this month...

On March 28th I will be exhibiting at Colvend Produce and Makers Market (Colvend Public Hall, DG5 4QD).

The market was set up by Annette Need (Annette's Baking in a Box) and on the fourth Saturday of each month, producers and makers from around Dumfries get together at the hall to sell their wares.

I've been invited to display my artwork at the March market and each month after that there will be other guest artists taking to the stage with their own pop-up galleries too.

At the market you'll find lots of gifts and tasty treats, from quiches and cakes to tarts and pies. There's also a market Pop-Up Cafe, so come along and join us for a cuppa and see for yourself what wonderful treats are on offer.

Another pop up gallery during March is on the evening of the 12th at Shambellie House, as Stuart J McCulloch launches his latest book 'A Scion of Heroes'. If you would like to attend the launch on 12th March at 7.30pm, to hear an illustrated talk from the Author, please email maculafailte@yahoo. co. uk for more details (see my last blog post on the book here)

I've got lots of exhibitions and events happening over the next few months so do check back regularly to stay up to date.

Until my next bloggings....


Laura x

The Yellow Door

I'm a bit late blogging about my recent exhibition at The Yellow Door, but I wanted to share a few photos from the Private View, and to tell you a little bit about this special place in Dumfries where I have been volunteering for the last few months.

The Yellow Door was launched as a permanent shop and gallery in April 2014 for a group of artists, designers, makers and writers from Dumfries and the surrounding area to display and sell their work. The new space accommodates a vibrant programme of exhibitions, and small creative and literary workshops and events.

The Gallery showcases an excellent selection of paintings, sculpture, ceramics, hand-made prints, writing, photography, illustrations, crafts, antiques, fine art and the most fabulous handmade hats!

Email theyellowdoordumfries@gmail.com to be added to their mailing list, or sign up to the newsletter on the facebook page here to stay up to date with what's happening and be invited along to some super events behind The Yellow Door.


Laura x

Commission

Excited to share news that a book entitled 'A Scion of Heroes' is about to be published on 6 March 2015. Author Stuart James McCulloch very kindly commissioned me to design the front cover for the book and this has to be one of the most interesting and satisfying commissions I've received so far. 

The new book is all about the life of Captain James Murray and the interesting story motivated and inspired me to create the cover below.

For more information about the book and how to order copies through the Author, please see below...

Laura x

This fast-moving narrative, brings to life the extraordinary tale of a young man from New Abbey, South West Scotland.

The tale travels from the American Revolutionary War via Scotland and Canada. It moves on to the remarkable events in his life as a naval officer in the fight against the tyranny of Napoleon. It ends with drama and scandal in the Scottish Highlands.

PUBLISHED MARCH 2015

HARDBACK c.350 PAGES RRP: £18.99

ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN eBOOK

For information and ordering: Author - maculafailte@yahoo.co.uk

LHM Fine Art Photography News

It's been a busy few weeks here at LHM Fine Art Photo HQ, so I thought I'd share a wee update on what's been happening since my last blog post...

I had a successful weekend exhibiting artwork at Shambellie Walled Garden, with a wonderful preview evening hosted by Sheila Cameron. Other artists exhibiting at the event were Archie McCall, Hugh McIntyre, Philippa Sinclair and Charlotte Long. We all had a great time in the garden with really great weather. Thanks to those of you who came along to the event over the weekend and purchased my art. 

I have recently completed two commissions. One to design a book cover which I absolutely loved. It was challenging and completely different from past commissions, but spending time reading a draft copy of the book and working out the style and feel for the front cover was very satisfying. I'll be sharing links and more details about the book hopefully before the end of December when it is published. 

Another commission was to photograph some beautiful pottery by Archie McCall. Here's a sneak peek at some of his lovely pots. I met Archie at his Spring Fling Open Studio last year, which was wonderful and a real high-light of the event. His work is inspiring and his studio, set in his garden is both charming and enlightening. 

In other news, very excited to share that I've been accepted as an artist member and volunteer at The Yellow Door Shop and Gallery in Dumfries, I really love the creative space and their events and preview evenings are very enjoyable. Watch this space for details of events from the gallery and do go along if you get the chance. I'll be having an exhibition at The Yellow Door in the New Year too. More about that soon.

And, last but certainly not least....I'm delighted that I have been awarded a Licentiateship with The Royal Photographic Society The Society's distinctions are internationally respected and sought after by photographers. Preparations are now underway for my application for Associateship! 

Well, I think that brings you up to date. I'll be on location in Morocco for a while but will post more updates and images on my return.

Many thanks for looking, please do leave any comments and feedback below, I'd love to hear from you.

Laura xx

Shambellie Walled Garden - Art Exhibition

As I mentioned in my last blog post, I will be exhibiting at Shambellie Walled Garden and here are all the details you need. Please save the date and I hope you can make it. I'm very much looking forward to what promises to be a wonderful evening in a beautiful setting, 

Laura xx  

Sheila Cameron at Shambellie Walled Garden

has pleasure in inviting you to the preview of

Art in the Garden

Friday 5^th September 6.30 to 8.30pm

The exhibition will include work by

Charlotte Long ~ Botanical illustrator

Philippa Sinclair ~ Paintings in Watercolour

Laura Hudson Mackay ~ Fine art photographer

Hugh McIntyre and more….

The exhibition will run on Saturday 6^th and Sunday 7^th Sept.

10.00 – 4.00

Refreshments

Shambellie Walled Garden, Beeswing Road, New Abbey, Dumfries, DG8 1AA

Flower Pots

Using unwanted Antique pots left at the Tower by previous owners, and inspired by Shambellie Walled Garden, where I've spent many hours with my camera over the last few months, I have begun creating a collection of Limited Edition Fine Art prints. 

In this project, textures are blended and multiple images over laid. Some are leaves found at the Tower, others bouquets of flowers that have meaning only to me and another has the textured walls of Shambellie Garden itself. The finished article completed and framed using antique picture frames, some collected over many years of my love for antiquing. 

On another note, prints arrived from the lab today for my upcoming exhibition at the walled Garden, I'm pleased with them and can't wait to see them framed and on display in September (dates and details soon).

Thank you for looking, 

Laura xx

LHM Photo UK - Exhibitions and Commissions

A collection of my Fine Art Photography is on display at Hullabloo in Dumfries until the 4th August. Please do call in for a coffee or book in for lunch/dinner if you have time, the food is very good! 

Many thanks to those of you who have been and enjoyed your time there and given me such lovely feedback about the exhibition. Some of you even taking selfies standing next to the frames and tagging me in on social media!

Plans for my next exhibition at Shambellie Walled Garden are well underway (dates and more details to follow soon). I've been having a blooming lovely time taking photographs of many of the flowers and plants at the garden and in the studio. It's such a peaceful place to spend time and each time we have guests to stay at the Tower we enjoy sharing the beautiful garden with them. It's good to have it so close by, as our own garden looks rather too much like a jungle at the moment.

I've been adding my own textures and backgrounds to images and I'm happily discovering new ways of creating depth and interest.  When out and about with my camera, I never let a good texture pass me by and have built up quite a library. I love to experiment by overlaying multiple images or blending together one or even two different textures. The results can be really satisfying.

  

Today I received a commission from two lovely ladies who popped up to the Tower. They both live in the village and have asked if I can supply them with a collection of my own Fine Art greeting cards. I'm delighted!! 

I created a range of cards featuring my own work and the work of a number of other artists a few years ago and can't wait to get started with a new collection. 

Nexus - The Journey

I look for the beautiful and the good in everything. I've never been one who finds it easy to express myself freely in words and so my camera has become the tool to help communicate my own thoughts and feelings. 

My work often takes me off into other worlds far away. In these out-of-the-ordinary places I find myself inspired by the magic of forests and enchanted places. I search for doorways between two worlds, nexus points which seem to almost suspend time, a moment of revelation, a flash of inspiration...

And dare you enter through these gates

To seek another world beyond?

And will you leave these life estates,

To dabble in the Lucid Bond?

But thus compelled to venture forth

Each step more certain, more secure,

Dare you push the iron girth

To enter into life more pure?

Only the strong in heart and mind

May enter through this nexus point

Thus move between two worlds combined 

And sweet release do then appoint.

Taken from 'The Journey' by Laura Hudson Mackay, poetry Hudson Mackay Collaboration

LHM Fine Art - Website Update

Hello, it has been a mixed up weekend so far, as due to illness we have sadly had to cancel plans at the last minute to head up north in Herman our campervan. We were very much looking forward to a lovely weekend out and about with friends in the fresh Scottish air with a wedding ceilidh to join in too!

But, there is some good news... at long last the finishing touches have been added to my website and I can now share it with you!  Check it out here...

Laura Hudson Mackay Photography

There are now five galleries in total, which include images of places been and people met along the way. There are a number of flower and still life photographs, many not seen before. There are also some images from my popular and ongoing 'In Arabian Nights' collection, which I will add more to soon.

Other new additions are a link to my facebook and Twitter pages.  I'd love you to visit and give me your feedback. Please feel free to say 'hello' and leave a comment.

Thank you for looking!


Laura x

Places and Spaces

I'm always on the look out for interesting places to hang my work for sale. Having just moved to South West Scotland, I'm looking to organise exhibiting my artwork as much as possible. Excitingly, the first exhibition I have planned is for the month of July 2014 and at Hullabaloo, in Dumfries! I'll be posting more about the exhibition nearer the time, but I'm looking forward to it. Hullabaloo is a great space, the food is delicious and the setting, a converted 18c Mill, which also houses the Robert Burns Film Theatre (the smallest in Scotland) is on the banks of the River Nith. 

If you are the owner/manager of a place which would like to host an exhibition or commission me to create a special image for your wall. Please send me an email, I'd love to say "Hello".

If you have a photograph by LHM, then please email me a picture of it hanging in your home or restaurant, I'd love to add your images to this collection. 

Love, Laura 
email: info@hudsonmackay.com

All On A Misty Morning

We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!

Looking Back

I've not blogged for a while as I moved house a few weeks ago and things have been a little hectic. Now thankfully, everything has calmed down again and my husband and I, along with our two Scottish Terriers are enjoying our new life in the country.

So, to kick off this blogging year (better late than never), I thought I'd say goodbye to last year with a quick round up of some random images I took during 2013.

 We stumbled upon a number of wonderful windmills at Consuegra, on our road trip from Toledo to Cordoba. 

A macro image of the rope on a lobster pot taken at the Isle of Whithorn, South West Scotland.

This Moroccan orange looked so good, i just had to photograph it half eaten.

Riad Romm'an, our holiday home in Marrakech, Morocco.

From a collection of photographs I called 'Small Faces' taken at Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo, Spain.

Gnawa musician, Morocco.

Sunflower, spotted in Carcassonne on our road trip through France.

A square near the Mellah in Marrakech, Morocco.

An exhibition piece entitled 'The Djinn of le Palais de Bahia' exhibited and sold at a Bespoke Art Gallery exhibition at House For An Art Lover, Glasgow.

On our road trip to the Sahara desert. A photo of our guide Jbillo, who lead us on camels into the desert to camp overnight under the stars...magical!

I took this photograph when I was busy packing up the contents of our home. Phew, we made it to our new home, now for more unpacking...

Thank you for taking time to look through these images from 2013, I hope you like one or two. Please feel free to leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you.  More soon, Laura x