Dmitri Kasterine: Draftswoman and soap maker

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Draftswoman and soap maker

When asked by Caroline if I could photograph her, she replied, "I mean, I have totally never had a good picture taken of me."

Gwen is an architectural draughtswoman during the day. At night she goes down into her basement and makes soap and oils that smell deliciously of lavender and geranium.

She sells them regularly at the Beacon farmer's market and online at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/beyondthepicketfence

Caroline had mentioned her as a possible subject several times and this weekend we found her at a craft fair in Beacon. I pulled gently on her arm protesting that we both thought she had a wonderful face. Could she please spare five minutes, ask her friend to look after the stall and come with me.

I had found a place with good light two doors down in the entrance to an empty store.

7 comments:

Anhoki's PlaceApril 25, 2011 at 2:23 PM
Look at YOU!! Pretty pretty girl. :~)
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Brew Hilda (aka: Mama Wench)April 25, 2011 at 2:54 PM
If Gwen wrote a book, this would have to be on the jacket cover, it's wonderful!
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SwanApril 25, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Gwen, you are BEAUTIFUL. What great eyes you have. If I had never met you, I would think, "THAT is an interesting woman. I want to get to know her!"
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LouannApril 26, 2011 at 9:31 AM
What a beautiful photograph. The light is wonderful and the subject is stunning. I agree so much with what Swan said!
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Beyond the Picket FenceApril 26, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Dimitri! It looks wonderful!

It was great meeting you, and I had so much fun! Hope to see you again soon!
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New Prospect PotteryApril 26, 2011 at 7:17 PM
I love the photo. You look beautiful.
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JillianMay 11, 2011 at 4:38 PM
She does have a wonderful face. This photo reminds me of a beautiful Vermeer painting.
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From the photographer

I started this blog in December 2008. At the time I did not know if I would enjoy it or not, and whether I would get any response to it. I am enjoying it and people have responded. I made a silent pledge at the outset not to say much about my artistic intentions or the composition of the photograph. I would just talk about what led up to taking the picture and what it was like doing it.

The discipline is actually not a strain for me, because I do not desire, and really have never been capable of discussing my intentions, artistic or otherwise. My wanting to take a photograph appears as fast as a bolt and without warning when I spot the subject. I then take it or not, depending on how brave, awake, or fumbling I am with the camera. I enjoy exploring, looking for things that stop me, or frighten me. To fear to take a picture usually means you want to take it.

dmitri@kasterine.com

Biography

Born in England in 1932, I started out as a properly brought up young gentleman with an English mother and White Russian father. He fought wars all his adult life and died in a car accident in the North of England at the age of forty-seven.

Photography came to me at aged eleven, photographing birds at the bird feeder my mother put up outside the kitchen window. After the acute disappointment of the birds being minute specs in the picture, I did cows in the fields around us in Kent.

After the wine trade, Lloyd’s, racing cars, selling cars and flying aeroplanes to Australia, I became a photographer. I photographed my friend’s engagements and their weddings. I worked for magazines and advertising agencies.

I was sent to Los Angeles to photograph Mick Jagger, returned to England via New York where I met Salvador Dali in the elevator at the St. Regis Hotel. Thence started my interest in living here. Three or four years later I moved to America, remarried and lived happily ever after.

Dmitri Kasterine

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Draftswoman and soap maker

7 comments:

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