Issue IV Cover

Interview with the Artist

Michael Marsh, our cover artist, was kind enough to spend some time with our editor Alina Rios and talk about home, inspiration, and boats.

In this issue, we are featuring the winners of our flash fiction contest with the theme "home." I am wondering what "home" means to you and your work?

Home to me means family coupled with security. We have a hardware store and live on the premises. I have been here for nearly 40 years (I'm 56) surrounded by my family. My computers are in my office so I dip in and out of photography all day long, even though I am a committed amateur.

What about photography as an art form appeals to you? 

Photography as an art form stirs my creative inner core. It is my way to escape what is essentially my life on constant replay, nearly 40 years of working in the same environment (our hardware store) has led to a rather active imagination, best summed up with this image of mine, “the shadows of my raging mind.”

When did you become interested in photography?

I have been taking photos since I was 18 years of age, back in 1979, but didn’t become serious about it until eight years ago, when I was approached by several photography magazines for interviews. Participating in the interviews made me question why I was taking and displaying photos, and in what direction I wanted to go. I found myself forming a passion that has led me to where I am today... constantly thinking and dreaming about photography.

We had a very hard time picking the images to feature in this issue because there is something about your work that truly moves us. The images that stayed with me most are those of shored boats. Can you tell me what draws you to these, and also what it takes to capture these? I imagine you climbing over some fence or doing something mildly illegal. 

I am drawn to boats because we live in the quaint seaside town of Whitstable in Kent, steeped in the history of fishing going back generations. I do try as much as possible to photograph from different perspectives in a range of different weather conditions.

What inspires you to create? What do you do to stay inspired?

I’m inspired by the reactions that people have to my images. My Flickr site has had over 10 million views and, along with social media (Facebook), I get many lovely comments... which leads me to the view that my photography is a life's journey and that I can only get better at my chosen art form.

Just like many creative people, I do have occasional flat periods, but they don't last long. I am and always have been an avid dreamer, so I often wake up full of inspiration, but because of the day job have to contain it until the shop door closes.

Michael Marsh is an amateur photographer living in the beautiful seaside town of Whitstable on the Kent coast of England. He specializes in an atmospheric, cinematic style of photography that channels his creative self through imagery born of a desire to lead the viewer on a short journey of escape from present day realities.