Discovering Art in the Everyday: Mushrooms, Still Life, and Meaningful expressions in Photography

Irving Penn, Still Life of Mushrooms, New York, 1966. Gelatin silver print. © The Irving Penn Foundation

In our modern world, we are often caught in a relentless loop, going through the motions, and leaving little time to appreciate the quiet, intricate beauty around us. One of my projects, inspired by Irving Penn's still-life photography of mushrooms made me think. Now who would imagine that a living organism commonly found in the forest, park or field, not forgetting the edible ones on my plate! It would emit such great beauty. Penn transformed the mushrooms into appealing arrangements, highlighting textures, earthy tones, and organic shapes. I was inspired by what I saw and decided to formulate my own adaptation of his mushroom still life.

By carefully arranging the mushrooms and observing their unique features, I was drawn into a state of deep focus and calm. This meaningful approach to art-making encourages us to slow down, see the world differently, and find beauty in everyday objects. The experience has filled me with aspirations to teach others how to create captivating prints through merging art and photography as a means to enhance wellbeing, as I truly believe in the therapeutic power of creativity through the arts.  

Photography for example is a great medium to also capture your artwork, there are elements to refigure your art with or without using editing software, through to printing using various mediums, storing for keepsake, gifting or selling. There is a wealth of possibilities but most importantly, it is about creating whatever is meaningful to you.

Through this blog, I hope to encourage readers to pursue their own meaningful activities, to step away from routine, and to find their own version of stillness. Whether it's capturing an image, painting, or simply taking a walk in nature, these moments of intentional pause are invaluable. Art allows us to express our inner world, to explore our passions, and to share our unique perspectives with others.

In related posts, I'll delve deeper into the connection of art and photography, and how it can have a positive effect on your wellbeing. I believe creating art can be a transformative experience, not just for the artist but for anyone open to exploring their own creativity. I invite you to join me on this journey, to discover the beauty of the everyday, and to cultivate a space in your life for creativity and reflection. Let’s explore together how art can help us live more intentionally, embracing both the quiet moments and the ones that take our breath away.

I hope this blog has been informative – Thank you for reading.