Well, it’s all down to a book that sparked my curiosity and journey into relief printmaking. It’s called ‘Plants and Places’ by Angie Lewin (Merrell Publishers Ltd; Illustrated edition 1 Oct 2010). I was a fascinated 16-year old, botany, landscape, drawing, pattern, print, textiles and design. It was all here, bound into a beautiful book. But, the image that has stayed with me ever since is Lewin's wood engraving print 'Black Island'. It's magical to me. This was the moment that printmaking chose me.
Observing nature and learning about the world we live in through being immersed in its many wondrous forms has been a fascination since I can remember. Whilst growing up in and around rural Berkshire, my relationship with the natural world has always brought me continuous inspiration through its patterns of enchantment and magical charm. Did you know that a group of Goldfinches are called a ‘charm’?
Pebbles, Stones and Standing Stones are waymarkers for me in life and my creative practice, this became apparent in the colourful gardens I grew up in and family holidays to the Welsh and Cornish coasts. Growing plants, my own food from seed, beach combing, rock pooling, walking archaeological trails and climbing mountains all feed my creativity.
Wherever I walk, I find things, I collect objects that call out to me and speak to me through their own unique pattern, texture or shape, these are the stories I weave into my work. My work is really about following these waymarkers and listening to their stories.