Kellie North

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a photographer/visual artist with a deep desire to connect to nature, to my audience and to myself.  I play with nature, movement, light and texture, to create evocative, figurative images, which are connected to the subconscious.   

As a Self Portrait photographic artist I like to create thought-provoking, imagery of the feminine form. Capturing feminine, mostly faceless figures draped in billowing fabric in water or juxtaposed against the ruggedness of the natural environment.

My work explores the vivid contrast of fluid organic shapes and the natural world, it celebrates their differences yet unites them, hopefully creating a lasting impression with the viewer.  

Not one for treading the traditional photographic line, I often like to combine natural forms and landscapes with surreal elements, using carefully refined composite and digital art techniques.

I have always enjoyed listening to peoples stories and in turn love the reciprocity of telling my own and I find photography is a wonderful medium in which you can tell a story, be it documentary or fine art.

My philosophy about art, centres around honesty.  I believe the more authenticity and emotion you put into your pieces, the more you connect with them, and in turn, others will hopefully connect with them too.

What is your favourite drink (tea, coffee, chai latte etc)
I would have to say definitely coffee. I not only love the taste of good coffee but I love the moment in my morning when I pull up to my local coffee shop, see the friends I know there, have a quick chat, receive my cup of goodness and then go about my day. 

What inspired you to start painting/photography?
I have always loved photography and was always the girl that would painstakingly carry a big SLR camera around rather than a petit point and shoot.  I just always loved the feeling of a solid camera in my hands and the images it produced.  I travelled a lot, all over the world in my 20’s and taking photos of incredible landscapes and the people I met has had a huge impact on who I am and the work I produce today.   

Also when I was younger I used to be a dancer, and have always loved contemporary dance and movement. To me the human form is incredible the way we can tell a story with our bodies without the need for words.  I found I was able to do a similar thing with photography.  Instead of words, I use movement, form, position and props to portray the story I wish to tell in my images.  Women, nature, the landscape, colour, dance and poetry are all forms of inspiration for me.  I spend a lot of time outdoors either at the beach, in the bush, hiking and or camping, gathering ideas and inspiration all the time

Can you tell us about your artistic process?
My family and I are often on the road travelling, camping and exploring, which is why the style of photography I do has always suited my lifestyle.  My  camera bag is always packed with my equipment, tripod, remote and costumes ready to pick up and head out walking in the bush.  

Most times I already have an idea of the image/s I want to shoot with a clear narrative in mind which helps direct me what I need and how I want the image to look.  Other times I will let the landscape direct me.  

How can we support you?
I appreciate being a part of artistic communities.  I strongly believe we are all better together, lifting each other up and supporting each other as artists.  There is room for everyone in the art world, each and every artist is unique and has a different story to share.  I appreciate the Art Directory platform and the marketing that you do for artists.  To have a reach larger than your own is a gift for anyone. So thanks.

What advice would you give other artists/creatives starting out?
Don’t let fear or self-judgement stand in your way.  Just start.  For photographers, start using you camera and don’t stop.  Shoot anything and everything you can, friends, beach, family, waves, flowers anything.  The more you shoot and use your camera and learn its functions the more you will learn and feel comfortable with it. 

I believe it is important to know the science behind taking a good photo.  Because you can never really make a bad shot look good, even with photoshop, you should pride yourself on taking a great shot and then you have a strong base to start with.  

You can read more about Kellie North here.