A new creative spark, found in black & white stillness
Hi lovely souls, it’s Joanne — and welcome to the very first post in my new weekly series, The Soulful Snap. This space is my way of slowing down, reflecting, and sharing a little of what’s been happening through my lens and in my heart.
This week, I’m feeling both grateful and deeply inspired.
For the first time ever, I entered a public art exhibition — with the Ashburton Society of Arts — and I’m honoured to have my work now on display at the Ashburton Art Gallery.
Being part of this event taught me so much more than I expected. I learnt how storytelling comes alive in a gallery space, how framing and composition shift when viewed at a distance, and how the size of an artwork can transform the way we feel about it. There’s a beautiful tension in creating something that both holds a story and invites others to step into it in their own way.
My First Art Exhibition
Christchurch - Convention Centre Bricks
Christchurch - Avon River Reflections
That creative momentum flowed into the weekend, where I took part in a two-day workshop with renowned Christchurch educator John Foster. We explored the rich history of photography, dove deep into editing techniques, and — most impactfully — leaned into the simplicity and power of black and white images.
Black and white photography invites stillness. It softens distraction. It gives space for curiosity. When we remove colour, we’re left with tone, texture, shape, emotion — and a quiet invitation for the viewer to get a little closer, and wonder: what is the story here?
A Weekend in Black & White
Christchurch - Deloitte Building
Christchurch - Chapel
Somewhere between gallery walls and grayscale edits, I found something unexpected:
A spark I didn’t know I had.
A quiet but powerful love for abstract photography.
I found myself chasing reflections in the Avon River, dragging my shutter at the Christchurch Convention Centre, noticing textures and grain in the everyday. These images didn’t need to make perfect sense — they just needed to feel.
And that, I think, is the magic of abstract art. It speaks in a different language — one that welcomes emotion over explanation.
A New Discovery
Christchurch - Mural
Christchurch - Water droplets on a green leaf
Thank you for spending a few quiet minutes with me here. The Soulful Snap will be back each Tuesday at 6pm — whether you’re reading or watching, I hope these small windows into my world bring a moment of pause, connection, and maybe even a little inspiration.
If something in today’s post resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you — or feel free to share it with someone who might need it too.
With love,
Joanne 🤍
Until Next Tuesday...
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