ROSALIND BUTT

Rosalind developed her own practice whilst healing from illness. Photography quickly became a tool to heal her busy mind,  through the very literal act of using the camera to frame and focus on areas one at a time, taking in beauty and creating a still image, and letting noting else enter thoughts and mind.

This became a go to practice to navigate periods of depression. Rosalind fine tuned the art of mindful photography which is now considered a growing practice in wellbeing.  She takes in regular routes, tapping into senses, primarily sight and sound and found beauty in the small details that are often overlooked, a lone flower against a wall, a arch with painted tiles. 

‘As I walked locally I slowly took in my surroundings whether it be noticing a pop of colour, contrast of material and texture, tiny leaves bathed in sunlight. Too often its easy to distract and numb the mind with social media, doom scrolling, chasing impulses instead of feeling the feelings’ 

'I long thought good photography could only be achieved through travel far away, yet I have come to appreciate the richness of UK countryside, the changing seasons, flora and fauna on Oxfordshire byways and riverside. If you look with curiosity you can be a tourist in your own home town, garden, city and seek out new views and experiences.'

Rosalind’s work is inspired by the english landscape, seasons, renewal, architecture, witnessing nature in all its messy untamed forms. Rosalind finds this art form gives pause and reflections on how nature can mirror the flawed and raw lived experience. Rosalind’s work has evolved to capture mood felt through life challenges and reflect this in high contrast, detail or beauty. Rosalind’s is an adventurer at heart and draws inspiration from travels on foot or by kayak. 

‘I feel quite literally grounded when in nature, surrounded by bird song, crunching leaves, tempestuous weather, it wakes up the senses and reminds me that nothing is permanent, life is transient.’