AN AWARD-WINNING Berkhamsted photographer and trained psychologist has forged a unique collaboration with a local artist to reinterpret and bring new insight to her work.
Cynthia Nolan, owner of Shoot Me Studios in Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road, drew on her Masters degree in psychology to create photographic versions of 20 paintings by amateur artist Sharon Winwright.
Through interviewing Sharon, a qualified executive and life coach, Cynthia developed a detailed understanding of the significance behind each picture’s key components.
Guided also by Sharon’s explanation of her emotions towards the individual paintings, Cynthia then recreated them as photographs.
The results of the creative partnership will be on display at the “InvigorART” exhibition of acrylics, watercolours and pastels, which opens at Shoot Me Studios on Saturday 11th February and runs for a week.
“It was unchartered territory for us both,” explains Cynthia, “but it has set Sharon on a new course and it has enabled me to introduce a therapeutic aspect to my photography, which is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
“Discussing my paintings with Cynthia in such depth felt like therapy,” explains Sharon, owner of coaching and training consultancy Invigor8u.
“At times, I got really emotional, which I wasn’t expecting but by enabling me to interpret the emotions behind my paintings, Cynthia has inspired me to develop my art, devote more time to it and to use art as a unique method in life style coaching.
“I’ve always enjoyed painting as a hobby and use art in my work to help clients express how they want to see their future, but I just wanted to do more with it.”
Sharon also wanted her paintings, amassed over the past 30 years, to be used to create something new to turn into prints and blank greetings cards. However, finding the right photographer wasn’t easy.
“I approached several but they left me feeling like I might as well just put my paintings through a photocopier,” recalls Sharon, from Chesham Road, Berkhamsted.
But then she met Cynthia. “As soon as we spoke, we made an instant connection,” Sharon remembers. “She has such a natural empathy and ability to connect with people and her passion and interest in what I wanted to achieve really came across.”
In one photograph, called “Tears,” a red rose sheds what looks like a tear onto meticulously detailed leaves, reflecting Sharon’s emotion at the time of painting.
In another, “United,” poppy stems, bent but intertwined, suggest the passion and love between two people.
“Sharon’s art is inspired by family, love and life, “ explains Cynthia, “and by being able to understand and interpret it, I could transform it where appropriate and bring her to a new creative place.
“It’s still very much Sharon’s work,” she adds, “my editing simply reflects her experience.”
Sharon admits: “It feels like sharing a layer of me that I haven’t shared before, which is quite scary!
“But I’ve always dreamed of having an exhibition one day. Now I have Cynthia to thank for making it happen.”
For more information call 01442 869099 or visit www.shootmestudios.co.uk.
Shoot Me Studios is a sophisticated, edgy photographic studio with a different approach to its clients, offering a range of services including boudoir, lifestyle, fashion, family and portraiture. Cynthia obtained her Masters degree in Counselling and Organisational Psychology from University College London.
INVIGOR8U Ltd is a company incorporating art into lifestyle and executive coaching and training. For more information call 07707 324926 or visit www.invigor8u.com Sharon is a member of the Institute of Personnel Development and Institute of Management. She is also a master practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and a qualified coach.
Shoot Me Studios, the new photographic studio with a different focus on clients, launched in Berkhamsted in 2011. Visit their website www.shootmestudios.co.uk for latest offers.
