.INTERVIEW WITH LUCY EVERITT
OWNER OF ‘OUVERT’ MAGAZINE & PHOTOGRAPHER
I have known Lucy Everitt since the first year of university as we both went to Falmouth University, but studied different subjects. Lucy studied Press & Editorial Photography, but our paths crossed on many occassions in the photography building. I have always been slightly jealous of her style and her imagery, she is a very talented human being.
‘HAND ARMOUR’ PROJECT
I remember seeing a collection that she had put onto Facebook for a preview a few years back and I was very impressed. It was an accessory shoot done using paint and her hands, and has such an elegant, but bohemian feel to it.
For me, it is the shapes that are created in the fingers that made the images so interesting, and the use of the black paint. Everything complements one another in a strange way and it pulls together to make this beautiful composition. The simple idea of using the black paint breaks up the image and draws attention in from the viewers as it is different from the ‘norm’ of a human hand. Without the paint, the images wouldn’t have anywhere near as much punch to them. It totally changes a somewhat standard image into something much more thought out and created.
Im a huge fan of simplicity within imagery and not over complicating shoots and images. This is another reason why I like these so much. It does the job with showing off the rings, and also bringing some creativity into the shot. It works that the only things that change in the series is the position of the hand, the ring, and the paint location. This helps the images to flow and connect with each other, while still creating a dynamic shot. It proves that you don’t need to spend a ton of money on a shoot to get a good outcome.
Lucy kindly gave us an explanation to this project:
“For over 100,000 years we have been decorating parts of our bodies with jewellery. Perhaps proving that jewellery had no practical use but instead intended for important spiritual and cultural roles, most of all its purpose is adornment.
Our hand jewellery has suddenly spread like glittery wildfire, horizontally, vertically and sideways across our hands in the form of rings. Armour, layered, double finger, midi, chained, shackled beaded.. the list is endless, we are starting to express our hands like works of art. There is no need to worry about drawing attention to those neglected winter mitts, ‘nail rings’ are here in the form of a shimmering saviour that slip over the top of our unloved cuticles.”
It is true that we as humans have been finding ways to ‘glam ourselves up’ and prove self worth and how people want to distinguish themselves from other people through this form of expression. People thousands of years ago did it with showing their best possible armour off, and nowadays it’s through extortionatly expensive rings (or not as these images prove) to make ourselves more of an artistic expression of self.
It was a shame for Lucy when these images were taken from her personal Tumblr account and put on someone else’s page without permission and ended up going slightly viral. This is one of the downsides to having images online and people taking them for their own personal gain, but all credit for these images does belong to Lucy Everitt herself.
Q&A WITH LUCY
DOTJPEG: HOW DO YOU START A NEW PROJECT?
LUCY: I always keep a small notebook in my handbag. I’m one of those people who’s mind goes a mile a minute and when I have an idea, a million come at once and i forget them just as quick. so I think it’s important to have something with you at all times that enables you to jot the ideas down quickly. After all, inspiration mainly comes when you are at your busiest! When I have an initial idea I like to brainstorm in a sketchbook with different ways of approaching the concept.
DOTJPEG: WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEAS FOR THIS PROJECT?
LUCY: A lot of my late fashion editorial images were taken for my publication Ouvert magazine. Its focus is affordable fashion. Myself and my sister came up with the concept one evening whilst counting our shoe hoard. We realised that we were spending far too much of our money on disposable fashion. We decided we needed to come up with a concept that could change our fashion routines that were more attainable. A lot of the time we have an emotional detachment from glossy magazines because of the unreachable standards on the pages, we wanted to create something that the reader could be involved in and would challenge the creative process when dressing ourselves.
DOTJPEG: HOW DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF MOTIVATED TO BE CREATIVE?
LUCY: It can be hard to stay motivated creatively, especially because of long work days and looming deadlines. Uni was great because we were given lots of time to explore different projects, now its all done in my spare time. I hate to admit it but I’ve got a bit of an obsession with pinterest, every opportunity I get I’m looking at the new imagery from that day. I think its really important to look at other artists work to motivate and inspire yourself.
DOTJPEG: WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR INSPIRATION? AND WHY?
LUCY: I don’t particularly have a favourite photographer for inspiration but Another magazine is my favourite go to for fashion editorial images. Lucian Freud is my favourite artist, his work drives me to make my work more authentic. He didn’t paint through rose-tinted glasses and wasn’t afraid to show that sometimes life can be ugly. I strive to be more like that.
DOTJEPG: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG CREATIVES FROM SOMETHING YOU HAVE LEARNT ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
LUCY: The best piece of advice I was ever given was from my Great grandmother- ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again’. This industry is so competitive, your not always going to get what you want first time. So don’t be disappointed, just get back on the horse and try, try, try again! (Also, always carry your camera, pencil and notepad.. you never know when opportunities will arise)
