IMAGE OF THE WEEK #34

This weeks image of the week is from my hometown of Sutton-On-Sea, Lincolnshire. Our Euro trip had ended and we were gearing up for our next chapter, the USA. We quickly went back to where I grew up to spend some time with the family and relax before we feasted our senses on America.
My hometown is a sleepy place, it is flat, it has a sandy beach that runs as far as the eye can see, it has an abundance of people with one foot in the grave and it has three pubs. These are the constants in this town. The things that have changed over the years seem minimal and inconsequential in terms of the wider world. However this town has changed a lot since I grew up here. There are no empty fields left. Almost everyone has UPVC windows and doors. The ice cream parlour is long gone as are the break waters on the beach. One thing that hasn't changed is this orange bin. It has been there for as long as I can remember. See you next week in the US of A.

Simon Hewson©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #33

This week our Euro adventure comes to an end. We close this chapter in Belgium. We spent a couple of days in Belgium before heading back to England. We learnt all about frites, chocolate, beer and good old fashioned hospitality thanks to our lovely Belgian hosts, the Danschutter's. I took this shot in Gent, I'm not quite sure what is happening here, it's up to you to make your own minds up. Next weeks instalment will be coming from my home town, Sutton-On-Sea. We then jet off to the USA!

Simon Hewson©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #32

On this day last year we were at the half way point of the European leg of our trip. This week we are in the beautiful land of Croatia. This place holds a very special place in my heart, it is where my wife and I first told each other that we love each other. Just to clarify it wasn't on this trip, but on our first trip around 8 years ago. Nothing has changed, I'm still in love with this place and I'm more in love with the ball n chain. Until next week.

Simon Hewson©2012

Craig Waddell

I recently visited artist Craig Waddell at his studio. I was commissioned to photograph Craig, his studio and his work for a soon to be published book.

Born in Sydney in 1973, Waddell graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art from the National Art School in 1999 and a Master of Fine Art (Printmaking) at the Chiang Mai University, Thailand 2004. His recent awards include the 2008 Moya Dyring, Art Gallery of New South Wales residency at the Cite Internationale des Arts, Paris; the 2007 Marten Bequest Travelling Art Scholarship; and the 2007 Artspace residency at the Gunnery in Sydney. His many prizes include the Mosman Art Prize in 2010, the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize and the Tattersall’s Art Prize for landscape painting both in 2005, and the Paddington Art Prize and the Norville Australian Landscape Prize both in 2004. Waddell was a finalist in the 2006 and 2012 Achibald Prize and was also included in 2006 Salon des Refusés. In 2005 he was a finalist in the Blake Prize and the Wynne Prize and is a finalist again in this year’s Wynne Prize. Craig is currently showing at Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane, his home town gallery is Gallery 9 in Darlinghurst, Sydney. You can see more of Craig's work here www.craigwaddell.com


All images Copyright Simon Hewson ©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #31

This time last year was our last day in Italy, we were due to set sail for Croatia the following afternoon. After much clenching of the teeth/jaw, we decided to park the van up for a few days and have a rest from driving. We decided that the Amalfi coast would be the perfect place to do this. I was more than happy to walk around for a few days, stretch the legs and avoid near head on collisions at every turn.
This weeks shot was taken on one of our walks from Marmorata into Almalfi. The walk is about  3 km, not a walk for the faint of heart. A very windy road with Sheer drops on one side and rock face on the other. Along the road are lots of little doorways to peoples homes and the odd shop, this doorway was just around from a blind corner. I'm not sure what was going on here, a nosey neighbour? A concerned passer by? I'll let you decide.  Later that night we celebrated our last night in Italy with a couple of beautiful ice creams, I bit into mine with all the gusto of a greedy child, I felt a strange crunch, thinking it was little odd, I carefully placed the hard object in my hand. On closer inspection I realised I had lost a good chunk of my front tooth. Great! The van got through Italy without a scratch, my teeth clenching however had taken its toll.

Simon Hewson ©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #30

Buongiorno! On this day one year ago, we were in the land of wonderful coffee and bread that you didn't ask for, want or eat but still had to pay for. Yes you guessed it, this week we're in Italy. First off, I love Italy, I have been many times and I love the Italian spirt. However, things have changed. Italy has always been a place where you have to pay for almost everything ranging from laying on the beach to going to the toilet, but it seems more desperate now. The hard sell has become compulsory in almost any store you step foot in, restaurants only give service to those who wish to feast. What has happened to the laid back Italians I used to know and love? One thing that is still the same is the driving skills. The smaller the road the faster you go. It's in the blood, the fire and the passion is on display for all to see and avoid if you're quick enough. I had to pull the mirrors in on the van more than once, in fact I left them in for whole days at a time. The other thing that is as wonderful as ever is the pizza, my diet consisted of Prosciutto e Funghi pizza paired with a fine can or bottle of Lemon Soda, pure bliss. One evening I did try and order something different, but my gut told me to stick with the old combo. The old adage "go with your gut" was never more fitting, although my shorts were starting to not fit due to my gut!

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Simon Hewson©2012

IMAGE OF THE WEEK #29

Again, one year to the day, it's week two and we're now deep into Portugal. The sun is shining, the wine has been free flowing and the cheese has already taken its toll on our increasing waist lines. Today we will meet Maria. Maria sits on the wall to her one bedroom home and enjoys watching the world pass by. She wears a pendant with a photograph of her late husband, he is quite a looker. My Nan passed away a few years ago and she reminds me of her, she has the same cheeky glint in her eye. Maria doesn't speak English and I don't speak any Portuguese, we do however sit and have a lovely chat. We meet her son briefly, he pops his head out of the low doorway to see whats going on, quickly losing interest he goes back inside.  Maria is warm, open and full of youthful spirit. I liked Maria a lot. Until next week.

Simon Hewson ©2012