I love the versatility of print making and particularly enjoy the start of a new project.

 

Using techniques such as mono printing, block printing, collagraph, dry point, silkscreen or even a combination of these I create coloured and textured papers specifically to suit my subject.

 

At this stage I have a lot of fun experimenting. Sometimes the ‘disasters’ turn out to be the most exciting! I like to print onto handmade papers and semi-transparent tissues.

 

The real work begins next, selecting the pieces that ‘work’ together. I look for colour harmonies and contrasts, light and dark tones, interesting marks and textures, quiet and busy areas and most importantly a bit of visual excitement. I then spend an exceedingly long time ‘fiddling’ with the pieces until I get to the point where I feel happy that all the elements are in balance.

 

To me this is the 2D equivalent of building a sculpture, which was the subject I studied at art college.