So, DesireLines… may I call you DL?

Hahaha…well, if you insist- though you can just call me Ryan if you want. I was going to say that’s what everyone calls me, but…erm…that would be a lie… And, no, I don’t think it would make family friendly reading if I told you!

Let’s start off with a very simple question: how did you acquire your shop name?

I thought long and hard about it for ages- I wanted something that would suit me forever, so I could build a brand with it. Then I came across this name- it’s an ordnance survey term for the wavy, meandering lines that people create in public spaces when they don’t follow the paths set out by the planner. These wandering paths are known as Desire Lines and I liked that it suggested going your own way, making your own decisions and not necessarily going the expected way. Also, at the time I was working on some work about sexual psychology and paraphilias and I liked that it sounded faintly seedy and a bit like a sex chat line

You live in Belfast. What was it like growing up?

Fine really. It’s nowhere near as bad as people think. I did always wish it was a more cosmopolitan city- there were shops and brands and things we just didn’t get because they were scared of being driven out by protection rackets, or bomb scares, but, over recent years, that has changed dramatically. Even architecturally, the whole attitude in the city has changed- not only is there the money to be spent on beautifying the city and creating cultural spaces, but people are prepared to risk creating a beautiful a beautiful, architecturally “risky” building because, well, it’s reeeeaaaaaaally unlikely that it’ll be blown up! Right now, I think I would recommend it to anyone. There are very few cities that are within 10 minutes of stunning countryside.

You have A-Levels in Art & Design, English Literature and … Mathematics with Statistics? Why math?

To be honest, it was a completely arbitrary selection. I had done well in my GSCE’s (the exams we do at 16 before, if we want, we can leave school) so when my selection of A-Levels didn’t suit the timetable the school had written up, they were completely unhelpful in getting it changed. The attitude was, simply, you can do whatever subject you want- why arfe you making such a fuss?! I had wanted to do Art, Biology and Computer Science, but couldn’t, so just chose maths and English because it seemed to cover all bases degree wise. I was never going to be a medical Dr. so, at the time, I thought I was keeping my options as open as possible.

How have you managed the transition from student to professional artisan?

I haven’t really! I should be out being a fine art photographer, but, instead- I play…sometimes fine art photography, sometimes corporate photography, sometimes graphic design, sometimes sewing… It’s good for the time being, but, one day, I really will have to sit down a create a proper business plan, or, even *ominous music* a “life plan”!

If you’re willing, tell us about your approach to subject matter? How do you decide what to shoot?

How I approach a shoot, depends hugely on what it is being shot, and that depends on whatever is happening in my head at the time. Generally, I like catching moments of stillness, and that kind of beauty, in everyday scenes. They may even become so “beautiful” when shot, that it’s hard to believe that they are everyday…like my shot of the bridge in Vancouver, or the mill near my parents house. I also like images that suggest a something more, an absence…the same stillness that could create beauty, can also suggest longing, or loss; an unfinished story. Finally, if I’m researching issues that can’t be worked through, artistically, with “found” scenes, I also like to take a more theatrical, staged approach. The “posthephagy” series, for example. I still wanted to create something aesthetically lush and appealing, even though the issues dealt with are dark and, somewhat, sordid- taboo. So the lighting was very specific, as were the materials selected and their positioning. I suppose, having read this, there are two very distinct sides to my work- complete control, and a lack of control…both seeking to grab something from something that may not even be there.

In addition to fine art photography, you also make and sell high quality textiles. What motivated you to make handbags?

It was totally random, actually. I left work (it was the job i’d had all through university, but I’d stayed for another year after my graduation while I decided what to do), and thought- this is it! I’m going to be a real photographer! So, I designed my business cards, set up my website and then…changed my mind… While I was floundering, my mum bought me a wee kit that she thought she would give me something to do…learn how to knit by knitting a handbag. So, I knitted, and knitted and knitted and decided I wanted a knitting machine. The only ones I could find were expensive, so, on a complete and utter whim, I bought a sewing machine instead. As I’d been knitting handbags, it seemed to make sense to sew them, too. So, being a bit obsessive, I sewed, and sewed, and sewed, and ended up with a big pile of bags and no clue what to do with them. Selling them seemed to make sense, so I did my first craft fair last May…and the rest, in my house, is history!

You’re very popular with the ladies on Etsy. Why is that, do you think?

I have no idea as I’m, generally, and genuinely, just myself. I’m a typical fella from here- caustic-witted and sharp-tongued…I also have the added un-appeal of being pretty filthy, too. If you were sitting in a pub with me, i’d be saying exactly the same things as I post in the forums- honest, blunt and, more than likely, completely crass! Also, i’m pretty sure that they see I from northern Ireland in my profile, and assume I’ve got a southerner’s accent (way nicer than the harsh, nasal, 200 words a minute accent/voice I’ve been lumbered with!), and a lilting irish brogue makes the ladies swoon… Colin Farrell has done a lot for the cause, too!

What types of offerings are you thinking of for the future?

More of everything, really. Have some photos in waiting (local scenes, mainly, from when I climbed Cave Hill (a mountain about 10 mins outside Belfast) and a few of some house demolition), and, now that I’ve just got myself a most beautiful new sewing machine, I’ll be working on new bag designs, and adding to the stock of my original styles. Also, I’m still toying with the idea of adding my graphic design work as a listing- custom business packages and things. A lot to be getting on with, anyway!

And now, the usual 10 Questions:

1. Your mother taught you how to knit. Tell us about something else your mother taught you that influences you today. Everything. My mum is hugely intelligent and has fantastic taste, so, almost everything I do is kind of filtered through that.

2. Tell us about your first crush. Hmmmm…I was very young…Catherine Donaldson. Her dad delivered bread, and she lived near my granny. We were in primary school together, and stayed in touch even after I moved house at the end of P2 (I would go to her house when my granny was looking after us.

3. What was your first job? It was the worst job in the history of the world ever. I worked in an offal factory. Sorting and packaging liver, hearts and kidneys… I did get to wear a white hat and wellies, though. And, because I refused to shave, I got a special hair-net for my face- so it wasn’t *all* bad. Too many gross and horrific stories to tell…just make sure you always, ALWAYS, by your meat from a good butcher!

4. What did you dislike most growing up that has helped you as an adult? Hmmmm…I suppose I don’t take any crap from people, now. I am still a total doormat- that, sadly, is just my personality, but I find it much easier to say no, and move on from relationships that are damaging and/or unhealthy.

5. What does true friendship mean to you? True friendship is not being together all the time, but getting together after years apart and it being like you saw each other yesterday. I’m rubbish at keeping in touch with people, so it’s really only the absolute best friends that stick around…and I think that’s why. We don’t need to see each other everyday to know that we’d do anything for each other.

6. Name one book that had a strong impact on you. I’m not sure about a “huge impact”, but I love anything by Kate Atkinson. Human Croquet is probably my favourite- it’s so dark, yet so light…and so incredibly poignant.

7. What’s a subject you always wanted to learn more about? I’d love to be able to speak Japanese…but I have absolutely no aptitude for languages. If I had trouble with Spanish, there is no way I could even begin to grasp Japanese!

8. How do you relax after a long day at a craft fair? The usual stuff, I suppose. I listen to a lot of music, I’m a total film-buff (foreign cinema rocks my face off), love reading, and I play a lot of computer games…in short, I’m a hermit-like loser

9. Explain the existence of Tapioca pudding. So you can fake it after a night on the hard stuff…you know what I’m talkin’ about…

10. Tell us what matters most to you in life. I never thought I’d be the sort for this kind of sentimental blether, but recent events have made me realise it’s my family and how close I am to them- both literally and emotionally. Not only do I get on well with them, but I can’t imagine ever not being just down the road…it’s maybe limiting my options, but, right now, it’s incredibly important that I can live on my own, but have them no more than 10 mins away.

Visit DesireLines at http://desirelines.etsy.com