My printmaking journey started about 25 years ago when I was at Hereford Art College. I enjoyed all forms of printing but ended up specialising in screen printing and textiles which I continued during my Decorative Arts degree at Nottingham Trent University.
I returned to printmaking a few years ago when a friend asked me to have a stall her Christmas fete. I didn't have anything sellable so decided to revisit my love for printing and went on refresher courses at a local studio for lino cutting and collagraph, I have been hooked (again) ever since.
My printmaking work mainly focuses on lino cut, a process where sharp cutting tools are used to cut away part of the flat surface of a block of linoleum. After cutting, the remaining surface is inked with a roller and the image hand pulled on to the paper. I also work with collagraph, a method where marks and textures are added to a piece of mountboard, like a collage, before inking intaglio and printing on a press.
I enjoy the endless possibilities of creating a printing block or plate and the magic and excitement of pulling the first print never fades. My work is inspired by the natural world with a focus on wildlife and landscape. More recently I have been exploring retro imagery from my 80’s/90’s childhood.
I live in the beautiful Forest of Dean with my husband and two children, where I am very lucky to have my own printmaking studio. In my studio I have an antique book press, which I mainly use to for handprinted cards and a #2 Gunning Etching Press which prints all of my collagraphs and larger linocuts. At the beginning of 2020 I also started running workshops for small groups to come and learn printmaking skills.
As well as developing my work as a printmaker I also work part-time as a freelance Art Practitioner teaching art lessons and after school art clubs in primary schools in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. Printmaking is a firm favourite with my classes.