We are artists supporting new artists.
Our continuing mission is to boldly seek out new talent on Redbubble, where ever it may be, and offer support and encouragement to those who are embarking on their own personal creative journey.
On behalf of redbubble, we volunteer as SCOUT members and commenters to encourage and welcome new members to our site (along with 22 other RB members), and it is in this capacity that we’re proudly announcing the first recipient of EMI’s October Scout Award choice.
Can you remember the first time someone commented on your work, and how you felt?
We can. We were ecstatic that besides the person who invited us to the site, someone who didn’t know us would take the time to notice and say something so nice to encourage us and inspire us to post more. Those first comments really set the tone for how we would continue and expand our redbubble experience to an amazingly creative journey.
In February 2008, the community was growing rapidly, announcing over 100,000 members strong, and still those who encouraged our work, taught us the ropes of the site, groups to join and introduced us in their journals to get our work seen. As our community continues to grow beyond 250,000 members, some of our newer members are in danger of falling through the cracks, and we as a community could be missing out on some wonderful inspiring work simply because we need to put a little effort to go and hunt it out.
That said, let’s get onto the photographer that has sparked my own interest, inspiration and curiosity…
Erika Gouws joined us at redbubble in June 2009…
Building Abstract
Geometric Horse
Window under the stairs
Distortion
PASSION
The last title sums up her ecclectic style, eye for color, lines, dimensions and artful simplicity. Her portfolio is much more wondrous than these 5 choices, as she wanders through the countrysides of South Africa and shares the culture, native wildlife and what most would consider the mundane through the lens of her camera.
Erika says…
There is so much beauty around us every day. We all see the splendour of a sunset or the delight of a beautiful flower or a cute puppy. But if you look a bit closer, you can see it in the curve of a toilet roll or the grittiness of a reflector on the road, the angle or unusual colour of a wall.
Those images, which we often overlook or ignore, are the ones I try to capture. They’re around me and in me. Hidden in the kitchen, in a smile or in an unexpected ray of sunlight.
I find them in the richness of the South African landscape and the colours, cultures and people around me. And through the lens, I grab them and experience them. And share them.
In my day job, I work with words. I am a freelance project manager/editor in the field of educational publishing. When I get a manuscript to work with, I often have to take a sentence or a paragraph apart to find out what the author is really trying to say. Break it down into smaller pieces and put it back together again. The same principle can be applied to photography. Take the “bigger picture” apart and look at the lines, angles, colours and facets of which it is composed.
My view of the world is also inspired and guided by music. The mathematical precision and beauty of Bach, the energy and pulse of rock, the harmony and lyrical perfection of Paul Simon. The many levels of Bob Dylan. And at home, my husband helps me to make sense of life on both sides of the lens, and our two dogs remind me that the most important things in life are love and affection, fun and food!
For me, photography is a way of life, a way of seeing, experiencing and capturing life. I hope you enjoy my way of sharing it.
Equipment
Pentax K20D, K10D
“Runaround” lens: Sigma 18-200 mm
And to bring the distance closer: Sigma 170-500 mm
GALLERY
