1, Cutmaple Cottages documents the interactions between people and nature on a small holding in rural North Essex, UK.
In 2011, my parents decided to leave our family home in Southend-on-Sea for a quieter life in the Essex countryside. A small, run down, end of terrace cottage backed by 5 acres of agricultural land seemed like a lot of work for an early-retired couple; but this beautiful place, and the surrounding areas became my safe haven, my inspiration and my second home. Keeping animals for meat, bees for honey and an allotment for veggies kept them quietly busy and their home became a retreat for many appreciative loved ones.
As I increasingly spent time with my parents in their new home, I documented our visits and became more and more inspired by this place, re-discovering the beauty of nature and the small details that keep us grounded. The sound of grass moving in the fields, the fruits of the prickly hedgerows, the ever changing colours and textures of farmland and woodland, icy ponds and clear rivers. In this place, as well as wildlife we found; space, growth, decay and enjoyed togetherness and solitude in equal measures. We had fun, found comfort, and forged a bond with the countryside which I hope will be lasting for my own children.
In 2011, my parents decided to leave our family home in Southend-on-Sea for a quieter life in the Essex countryside. A small, run down, end of terrace cottage backed by 5 acres of agricultural land seemed like a lot of work for an early-retired couple; but this beautiful place, and the surrounding areas became my safe haven, my inspiration and my second home. Keeping animals for meat, bees for honey and an allotment for veggies kept them quietly busy and their home became a retreat for many appreciative loved ones.
As I increasingly spent time with my parents in their new home, I documented our visits and became more and more inspired by this place, re-discovering the beauty of nature and the small details that keep us grounded. The sound of grass moving in the fields, the fruits of the prickly hedgerows, the ever changing colours and textures of farmland and woodland, icy ponds and clear rivers. In this place, as well as wildlife we found; space, growth, decay and enjoyed togetherness and solitude in equal measures. We had fun, found comfort, and forged a bond with the countryside which I hope will be lasting for my own children.