Jeanne Birdsall, 65, of Northampton was a serious photographer for 30 years, but stopped, she says, “When I discovered I was better at writing books than I was at making pictures.”
That’s her primary career now— writing books — for children specifically, including The New York Times bestselling series about the Penderwick family.
Birdsall says she’s taken up photography again in the past several years, but now as a counterpoint to her writing.
“And for fun,” she adds. “No more being serious.”
Her most recent photographs are of dolls and puppets, many of which are on view in an exhibit at R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton.
“I try to find that moment just after the doll has stopped moving, you know, that moment every child knows about. As does every doll.”
Some of those dolls were made by Birdsall’s friend children’s book illustrator Jane Dyer; the puppets were handmade by David Hyde Costello, a children’s book writer and illustrator, and another good friend. ( “I’m lucky in my friends.”)
Hampshire Life: What is your creative process like?
Jeanne Birdsall: To write a novel, I keep my imagination stuck in an alternate reality for several years, while day by day, word by word, page by page, I painstakingly transfer the alternate reality into my computer. This is exhausting and difficult (especially when my confidence leaks away and I have to keep going anyway), and enormously satisfying.
Making a photograph is pretty much the opposite experience. I go upstairs to my little shooting studio (with a big window that lets in gorgeous natural light), choose a background, position a doll on a table, mess with color and light, take the photo, download it into my computer, and print. After the endless chore of writing a book, this virtually instant gratification is a big relief.
H.L.: Does it start with a “Eureka!” moment?
J.B.: Nope. It’s more like being gradually taken over by an alien entity.
H.L.: How do you know you’re on the right track?
J.B.: That’s tricky. I don’t want to be certain about my track too soon in the process — with either writing or photography — because certainty can shut down options. I try to keep wondering until I’m close to the end.
H.L.: What do you do when you get stuck?
J.B.: Taking a nap always helps.
H.L.: How do you know when the work is done?
J.B.: It feels right. It’s finally “in tune.” Or, to be less esoteric, I know that a photograph is done when I get a good reaction from someone I trust. I know that a book is done when my editor and I agree that we’ve gone as far as we can go.
H.L.: What did you do today that relates to your art?
J.B.: I wrote another scene in my final Penderwicks book. It’s a funny scene. They’re the easiest for me. Sorrow is hard.
H.L.: How long do you want to keep working?
J.B.: Until I’m dead.
— Kathleen Mellen
“Alive, Alive, Oh!, an exhibit of photographs of dolls and puppets by Jeanne Birdsall, is on view through Nov. 30 at R. Michelson Galleries, 132 Main St., Northampton.
Gallery hours are Mondays through Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to
5 p.m.
For information, about the exhibit, visit www.RMichelson.com. Birdsall’s website is jeannebirdsall.com.