SHE’S COSMIC!

Editor Zee talks with Cover Star LUNAPhotographer,Activist, Businesswoman,Texile Designer & Magpie!

as the name suggests, means out of this world, the latin for Moon. a shining light in the darkness. That’s exactly how I feel about this issue’s cover star. Photographer and avid championer of women LUNA ( or amanda Chapman-bruce) Social media can be a dark place at times, and for women of all ages, sometimes intimating. That’s why I adore LUNA’S approach to her photography of women. I’ve met some inspiring and incredible women over the social networks I inhabit and it was impossible to scroll past her work. So who is the activist, artist, textile designer and photographer LUNA?

A typical day for men can look different depending on which end of the week you catch me…The first half of the week I lecture at the local college part-time delivering Level 3 Graphic Design - I started about a month ago - nothing like a career change at 48! Tuesday evenings are usually rehearsals with my partner as we attempt to get our retro rock and roll band back up and running after a bit of a hiatus (easier said than done!), and the latter part of the week I am usually freelancing creating various graphics, textile designs and artworks for home, fashion, and musicians! I also save Thursday to Sunday for any photography jobs. There is usually some sort of dress up in between all this for the grid - often to the amusement of my partner ( who has been used to my antics for some time now ). Disclaimer...Life admin and chores feature heavily, but that’s the dull stuff that isn’t very interesting to talk about!

Those who stand in the face of adversity. Those who stand up for what they believe in. Those who believe in themselves. Those who don’t bend to the media or society’s will. The upstarts, the upsetters, the agitators, the truth speakers. We need to show our impressionable youth what community looks like, what standing up for each other looks like, what supporting each other looks like, and give them the power and confidence to call out something that doesn’t sit right. Without a doubt the people actively fighting for a better world are beyond inspiring.

Oh wait, if you mean art wise, it is pretty much anything that is brightly coloured or sparkles!

I Studied photography as part of my foundation art course back in the early 90s. I loved the whole process of developing my own film and experimenting with exposure techniques. I was told my work in general was quite expressive, and that I was best suited to textile design or advertising. At 18 you sort of just go along with it because you haven’t got much of a clue what you want to do (I still don’t in all honesty). Fast forward a few years later and I’d specialised in Textile Design - Along with hand sketching and computer sketches, I would use my camera to take images of florals and abstract pattern, and manipulate them into my designs. It wasn’t until Covid that I explored using my camera for portraiture. Any modelling jobs I had in the pipeline were shelved, and I was feeling creatively unsatisfied where I was working. So I decided to join in with one of my good friends lockdown photo challenges and began using the prompts to explore self portraiture.

My imagery connected with quite a few people which was the loveliest thing, and surely but slowly I began to grow a gallery of fabulous folk that I had photographed. I continued my self portraits to journal my self expression through clothing. This included creating and crafting styled shoots for various independent business who felt they connected with my vision.

Where do you get the inspiration for your art and photography?

Where to begin…I think I can split this into two parts, I’ll call them heroes and indulgences.

There is a wide range of artists, photographers, fashion designers, and musicians that inspire from Viv Westwood to Frida Kahlo, Anne Lebowitz to Grace Jonesthese are the heroes (and far too many more to mention). The indulgences are probably easier to talk about as I am a sucker for the drama of saturated bold colour, visual contrast, pattern play, blurred and diffused imagery, sparkle and shine, and creating a strong presence with my subjects. I chase creativity and authenticity. What also inspires me to keep photographing is the joy in the process. When you are shooting with someone, and you are able to reveal a part of them that makes them question how they actually see themselves - that is the magic right there, it is so sincerely honest and beautiful. The feel good vibe of a shoot is second to none and I love the energy that is created - I really hope that shows in my images.

I love your tee collection Self expression is my thang!- Current faves are ‘Less Bitter, More Glitter’ and ‘Authentic not Antique.’ How did that side of your business start?

Thank you so much! That is true self indulgence - it generates little profit, but I love doing doing it!! I am a textile designer by trade and have spent over 20 years working for most of the highstreet designing product and print for homewares and fashion. Throughout my career people have been telling me to get my own stuff on tees, and sell my own art. So to celebrate being the ‘wrong side of 40’ as people referred to it (which is utter bollocks as it is DEFINITELY the right side) I created a capsule range of slogan tees which I called Positivitees. They were just a bit of fun and seemed to resonate with the tribe of awesome women and men who weren’t suffering gladly from the BS driven anti ageing malarky peddled by the media.

Less bitter more glitter is about just chucking things in the fuckit bucket and finding joy in sparkly stuff, or just shining regardless of the crap around you.

Authentic not antique was my 2 fingers up to ageism. We are ageing the way we are supposed to, and that is perfectly acceptable without the daft labels and ridiculous pressure to remain youthful looking.

I use a third party shop currently - They provide circular fashion, made and printed using renewable energy with eco friendly inks. There is no plastic in the packaging either which is always a bonus. I would love to have a studio set up and print my own preloved tees one day, alas I don’t have the room or the equipment at home to do so. I’m not very good at advertising the tees, and don’t really push them - as we don’t actually need to buy more shit! If your last tee has fallen apart and you were wanting to buy one of mine then that’s brilliant, otherwise, save the planet AND your money!

What are your passions, what drives you day to day?

Apart from the obvious desire to keep a roof over my head and bills paid, my drive is pretty humble presently. That is not to say I am unambitious, but having been made redundant a few weeks before Christmas and it taking 2 months to get sorted again, I’ve had to dig deep and remain as resilient and resourceful as possible. I have a great deal of stubbornness and refuse to let life’s curved balls knock me over for too long…I bounce back if nothing else out of spite, menopausing and all! Life can be a bit of a joker at times can’t it, and it is the moments in between all the shite that is the good stuff - we have to hold onto that as tightly as possible!

Photography wise the drive is to be a better photographer technically - I’m the sort of person who doesn’t read a manual and dives straight in. I would much rather get stuck in by exploring and experimenting - there’s nothing quite like a happy mistake! Plus my ADHD will do everything it can to stop me completing a ‘howto’ tutorial more than a few lines or few minutes long!!

I think we all suffer with imposter syndrome from time to time, and comparison is the thief of joy as they say. The important things is remembering to turn the volume down on the inner voice when it starts that rubbish!

My passions remain to create art, and visual joy. No matter what format it is in. I cannot express how important it is to make time for creative play. It isn’t about creating technically perfect masterpieces, or even finishing a projet/ piece of art. it is totally about allowing yourself to be free in the process of creating. You cannot fail at creating - if you have an end product, it is a bonus!

Evolution not revolution I think!! I will continue to create visual joy for brands, and for my personal enjoyment. I haven’t got any written goals or a 3 year plan, and whilst some may see that as a mistake, I much prefer to run with the flow and see what develops. For me Adorn With Attitude is about celebrating ourselves, making connections, and making an impact - I don’t need a business plan for that!