Marie Phelan

I am interested in all types of photography and enjoy collecting photography books.

In my own work I love the challenge of abstract compositions, the way that street photography can be so absorbing and I have a particular love for flower photography. My interest in gardening means I grow all my subjects, working outside in all weather. I try as far as possible to grow unusual varieties or lesser known species.

I paint my own backgrounds so that the flower colours are enhanced in one way or another when I compose against this background. In gardening I notice that the beauty of a flower when growing is usually enhanced by colours nearby. Maybe it is a soft green, or perhaps a bright red. When painting these backgrounds I take inspiration from the original colours that happen to surround the flower in the garden. Then I photograph the whole composition.