Return to my World

Well that is what it feels like. A return to Pixel Vixen's world.

I've not been away. I've not been silent. Only on here.

I've been busy. Busy with photography and exhibitions. Busy with life, moving on. Busy moving forwards and upwards. Learning and growing.

2013 was quite a year. I may share some of it. Some of you will know all about it from Twitter, Facebook and some of you have been there with me all the way through it. Or some of it.

I left my part-time position of eCommerce Marketing Manager and Photographer almost a year ago.  The knowledge that you can support yourself (and daughter) as a freelancer is very comforting. Of course I have my good friend and work colleague Paul to thank for that. For support, for work, for being there. A great team. Also I thank my clients.

I achieved my goals.....

I photographed Prince Charles, David Cameron, Boris, a long list of World Leaders. I photographed not so famous people who were so extraordinary, they left their mark on my existence.

One of my photographs was used as a poster on London Underground for the Royal Parks. Much bigger than I had hoped for!

I travelled. To the city I loved the first time I went and still continue to love. New York.

My daughter became an adult. What happened there? She has always been very mature and grounded. She has worked for the last 3 years, she got good grades in A'Levels. She will do well. I am happy!

I met someone I like a lot, who has similar interests. Unexpected. Nice. Very nice.

I made new friends in random places, on trains, via Twitter, on the street.

I learned a lot about existing friendships. That is all.

I told the world that I was Daisy Meadows. That it was me who won the London Photography Award in 2010. Some of the world knew. Some didn't care. It didn't matter. I was glad the 'secret' was out! I exhibited in Wolverhampton at the Lighthouse Media Centre. I was happy to take my work back to my roots. To where my inspirations and passion for photography started.

I was reminded of the actual picture I saw as a teen, which made me so desperately want to become a photographer. The cover of Nik Kershaw's The Riddle album. I finally went to a Nik Kershaw gig. I met Kim Wilde and Rick Astley. I'm an 80's girl.... what can I say? ;)

I learned a lot about myself. I failed. I survived. I succeeded. I set new goals.

These are the cobwebs I needed to clear...

London Photography Award

After that chance meeting with Greg, I soon became the official photographer of the London Fringe Festival. Not only that, I decided to take on the organising of the London Photography Award.

Earlier in the year, I approached several of the main companies for sponsorship. It was difficult as this was the first year of the London Fringe and people wanted to see what we could do before they reached into pockets! I wasn't put off by this! We would make it work and we did!

The Photographer's brief was to submit images in response to the phrase 'Quick, before we come to our senses!' This was the same theme across several of the Awards including the Visual Art Award. Entries were made online and these were shortlisted by our judges who were Edmond Terakopian - Award Winning Photojournalist, Kate Day - Communities Editor of the Daily Telegraph and James Sparshatt - Photographer, Capital Culture.


Exhibition Flyer

Together with Gillian Best Powell, artist and organiser of the Visual Arts Award, we put on a fantastic exhibition of the shortlisted artists and photographers in the prestigious Bedfordbury Gallery in Covent Garden. The space was beautiful and it was such a pleasure to curate these wonderful works of art and work with talented artists. Gillian and I received all the works on Tuesday 3rd and hung the exhibition on Wednesday 4th with the greatly appreciated help of Neil Kelly and Bart Janssen who were shortlisted artists in the exhibition.

The Private View on Thursday 5th August was attended by over 200 people spilling out onto the street. The exhibition was open to the public from Friday 6th - Tuesday 10th August. Gillian and I inviligated the exhibition the whole time.

Here are the shortlisted submissions from the Artists and Photographers. Works are for sale and if you're interested, we can put you in touch with the Artist/Photographer.

The Fringe Report review of the exhibition can be seen here.

The winner of the London Photography Award 2010 was Daisy Meadows for her photograph 'Flingo'. The runner up of the Award was Colin Hampden-White for his photograph 'The Key'.

The winner of the London Art Award 2010 was Andrew Hladky for his painting 'It was not there'.

Winners were awarded a trophy at the London Awards Ceremony at the prestigious Waldorf Hilton Hotel, Aldwych, London WC2 on the 26th August. The announcement was made on BBC News prior to the Ceremony with the winner's work being shown on national television.

Working on these events was a lot of fun, with a lot of hard work which paid off. Seeing the final result of something you have created and spent most of your spare time on gives a huge feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.  I loved every moment of it even when rushing around, arranging posters, press releases, invites, nibbles etc. The first year of the London Fringe was a success and I am happy to be a major part of that!

The London Awards of Art and Performance will run again in 2011 and every year after that! Next year the festival will run from 1st - 29th July 2011. The Waldorf Hilton are very kindly sponsoring the London Awards Ceremony again which will be on 28th July 2011. I am organising the London Photography Award again. As soon as we have the schedule in place and a title brief for submissions, then all details will be made available.