Eleanor Buffam

I am an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and musician. In addition to visual art, I am currently co-writing a sci-fi trilogy and I have performed in various musical groups over the years, including a Gaelic singing group called Na Cait Fhiadhaich.

In my visual art practice I have recently focused on creating a series of cyanotypes based on close-ups of flowers in my garden. Cyanotypes, also known as blueprints, are one of the earliest photographic processes, producing rich and beautiful blue tones. They are made by painting a light-sensitive chemical solution onto paper or fabric, and can be exposed outside using sunlight with no need for a darkroom. Cyanotypes are a very accessible and inexpensive printing process, as well as being hands-on, slow and meditative.

In 2019 I became ill with a debilitating chronic illness (ME/CFS), which shrunk my world, limiting what I can do, forcing me to slow down and explore less intensive ways of working. This has been especially frustrating creatively as I tend to have multiple creative interests that I like to pursue concurrently, and suddenly I lacked the energy to do anything at all. I had to learn to pace myself; I had to learn to rest. I am now much more aware of how to look after myself, and have multiple creative projects on the go again… although I have to be very careful with my energy expenditure, and do a lot of work lying down.

I have ADHD as well as ME/CFS.

I have exhibited in the ING Discerning Eye, the Scottish Portrait Awards, Edinburgh Printmakers, and the Scottish National Gallery, among many others.

I’m a member of ArtCan, Neuk Collective, Edinburgh Printmakers, and Visual Art Scotland.

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