Jenny Neale
Do you concentrate on one medium, or do you work in several?
I am a photographic artist who uses the camera as a paintbrush, creating digital images that blur the boundaries between photography and painting. My work often captures a sense of movement to soften edges and evoke a dreamlike, painterly quality. Through the use of layered textures, I invite the viewer to linger within each image, discovering the subtle interplay between light, form, and emotion. Creating cyanotypes has also become a bit of an obsession for me during the summer months — I love making these camera-less images using the sun!
Tell me about your workspace.
I’m fortunate that most of my creative process begins outdoors. I try to capture as much as possible in camera, often experimenting with intentional camera movement to evoke atmosphere, while keeping digital post-processing to a minimum.
What inspires you?
So many things inspire me — sometimes to the point of making my head spin! I rarely set out with a particular shot in mind; it’s usually the light and the way it transforms a subject that captures my attention. I’m endlessly fascinated by texture, pattern, and colour — often the subtle details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Do you have a favourite piece in your Little Gallery exhibition?
Choosing a favourite is difficult, as so many pieces hold meaning for me. However, one that stands out is ‘Sweet Peas’, created using a technique known as ‘in the round’. I’m drawn to its soft, painterly quality, and it’s particularly special because I grew the sweet peas myself and used a vase gifted by a dear friend.
How did you start doing what you do?
Before leaving my day job in 2019, photography was something I enjoyed mainly while travelling. But a journey to Japan in 2018 changed that — it awakened in me a deep desire to create more expressive, artistic images. Since then, my work has grown increasingly abstract, though it still seeks to capture a strong connection to place.
Do you work on your creative business full time, or do you have another job as
well?
Things changed a great deal where I worked, and I decided to take a leap of faith to follow my dream. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made — I haven’t looked back since.
If you have spare time, what do you do with it?
I love simply being in the countryside — and in my garden. I’m very lucky that two sides of our property back onto open fields, so I’m never far from nature. It’s a constant source of inspiration and has been known to influence my work!
What’s next for you?
I’m continually on a journey of discovery. Each winter, before the art trails return in spring, I set myself creative projects to immerse in. These months offer the perfect space to experiment with new techniques and to build a fresh body of work.
