Recent new prints.
Tap images for a larger view and details.
Tap images for a larger view and details.
All of the prints here are for sale (unless marked as 'sold out') They are all totally original hand printed limited editions on fine paper. Size and edition details are on the captions
Prices for unframed prints range from £60 for a smaller simpler image, to £250+ for more complex works. I can ship unframed work anywhere in the world.
If you are interested in buying my work, please contact me for details and prices.
I have recently felt the need to try and go both a little larger and a little simpler with my work. So these latest two are screen-prints made with direct cutting of red film to make the stencils and at around 70 x 50 cm each are about as large as I can go on my press.
As well as forcing the simplification of shapes, this technique also gives a looseness and freedom to the registration of each layer with the next which I like very much.
As well as forcing the simplification of shapes, this technique also gives a looseness and freedom to the registration of each layer with the next which I like very much.
"Mr George Stubbs had taken a break from painting a portrait of his patron Sir John Nelthorpe to take a walk from the town down towards the Humber marshes. He had heard of the new brick and tile making works that were beginning to dig large clay pits and drain and open up the reed covered wetland there and he was curious to see the changes made since he first came to this part of North Lincolnshire some 30 years earlier.
Then – he stopped and listened - there it was again. A sonorous deep breathy whoop, like a giant blowing across the neck of a huge bottle. What on earth (or water) was it?"
This is a very special linocut - produced especially as a fundraiser for a cause close to my heart. More to follow on this!
Then – he stopped and listened - there it was again. A sonorous deep breathy whoop, like a giant blowing across the neck of a huge bottle. What on earth (or water) was it?"
This is a very special linocut - produced especially as a fundraiser for a cause close to my heart. More to follow on this!
We are very lucky to have a thriving population of Kingfishers here in SW Scotland. This print 'Spark' is a response to the regular glimpses we get along the river Annan. It is a simply made screen print - made quickly using my old favourite technique of painting block out fluid directly on to the screen mesh.
Do you think that fish see in colour?
Surely they cannot he thought.
But he didn’t see you either
Like so many times before.
Until one day - did you decide?
That the boy was righteous enough.
And your straight line spark down the river
Shocked a blue into his eye for life.
Surely they cannot he thought.
But he didn’t see you either
Like so many times before.
Until one day - did you decide?
That the boy was righteous enough.
And your straight line spark down the river
Shocked a blue into his eye for life.
The first print here was actually completed a couple of years ago, but for some reason it has recently missed being on the website! So here it is: 'Dipper' a screenprint made entirely by hand painting blocking fluid on to the screen in various ways.
Then, in a continuing attempt to take a less complex approach, these other latest prints are relatively straightforward linocuts overprinted with screenprint. 'Strawberry Thief' is self explanatory (and also a bit of a nod to one of my artistic heroes). 'Heron' is a sort of follow up to the 'Floating' otter (below) and both 'X is for Crossbill' and 'Bittern' are the latest reworking and upscaled versions of images from my Alphabet of Birds book. I also decided to do a (much cheaper!) single colour edition of this Bittern; which I rather like better!
Then, in a continuing attempt to take a less complex approach, these other latest prints are relatively straightforward linocuts overprinted with screenprint. 'Strawberry Thief' is self explanatory (and also a bit of a nod to one of my artistic heroes). 'Heron' is a sort of follow up to the 'Floating' otter (below) and both 'X is for Crossbill' and 'Bittern' are the latest reworking and upscaled versions of images from my Alphabet of Birds book. I also decided to do a (much cheaper!) single colour edition of this Bittern; which I rather like better!
I recently returned to my experiments with the use of signwriting adhesive vinyl to make screenprint stencils. This time to combine the graphic qualities of linocut with the speed and versatility of screenprint. All three were a one or two stage reduction linocut, printed first; then simple hand cut vinyl stencils used to screenprint transparent colour over the top of the lino print. I have written a short blog post to explain further.
These four; Swell, Gannets Eye, Floating and Goldies were all done very quickly to serve as demonstration pieces to show this technique.
These four; Swell, Gannets Eye, Floating and Goldies were all done very quickly to serve as demonstration pieces to show this technique.
Sometimes when making a combined linocut and screen print, I like the simple linocut image just as it is. So I will sometimes make a first edition using the block in its initial state. I've been carried away a bit with this idea lately - so here are four recent ones doing something like that:
'The Dipper's Secret' revisits one of the small cuts I made for my Alphabet of Birds book; a one colour print,then a three stage reduction with overprinted screenprinted tints.
'Bell Ringer was first released as an unnumbered open edition in one colour. I then took the block and made the planned, quite complex colour lino reduction; overprinted with more screenprinted colour. 'Dear Child' was first a single colour linocut with the addition of screenprint colour. I then, from the same block, made a conventional three stage linocut reduction print. 'The King of the Fence' revisits both a subject I've done before - that wonderfully powerful wee bird - the Wren; and also the use of blind embossing (well de-bossing really) technique for his breath in the cold air. I made both a one colour linocut with screen print overprinted layers; followed by a three stage lino reduction of the same block.
'Bell Ringer was first released as an unnumbered open edition in one colour. I then took the block and made the planned, quite complex colour lino reduction; overprinted with more screenprinted colour. 'Dear Child' was first a single colour linocut with the addition of screenprint colour. I then, from the same block, made a conventional three stage linocut reduction print. 'The King of the Fence' revisits both a subject I've done before - that wonderfully powerful wee bird - the Wren; and also the use of blind embossing (well de-bossing really) technique for his breath in the cold air. I made both a one colour linocut with screen print overprinted layers; followed by a three stage lino reduction of the same block.
A new technical venture...of sorts
Although I have a fully equipped studio of my own, I remain interested in what printmaking can be achieved with the most basic facilities and equipment. One recent aspect of simple printmaking I have been trialling is the use of vinyl stencil films to make reusable simple screenprint stencils.
In the course of the experiments I first made the small editions of 'Blackcock', 'Puffin' and 'Peewit'
I then changed some of the material I was trialling to something even easier to use and made the larger 'Nuthatch'.
All of these were made without any chemicals or special equipment. See my blog for more information.
Although I have a fully equipped studio of my own, I remain interested in what printmaking can be achieved with the most basic facilities and equipment. One recent aspect of simple printmaking I have been trialling is the use of vinyl stencil films to make reusable simple screenprint stencils.
In the course of the experiments I first made the small editions of 'Blackcock', 'Puffin' and 'Peewit'
I then changed some of the material I was trialling to something even easier to use and made the larger 'Nuthatch'.
All of these were made without any chemicals or special equipment. See my blog for more information.
As a lead up to thinking in terms of very simple stencil shapes I first completed this edition; 'Bullfinches' using hand cut red film 'positives' to make screen photo stencils.
Other recently completed prints, from ideas and inspirations that have been around for a while were: 'Oystercatcher 2', 'Moon Shadow', and 'Jay' (the making of which I recorded as a short video. )
All are all are linocut reductions overprinted with screen printed colour.
Other recently completed prints, from ideas and inspirations that have been around for a while were: 'Oystercatcher 2', 'Moon Shadow', and 'Jay' (the making of which I recorded as a short video. )
All are all are linocut reductions overprinted with screen printed colour.
'I am The One' is a large print, based on a thought I have that within the wondrous roost gatherings of starlings, there might be one of them that makes all the decisions!
I am the One
The One who decides
A flick of my wing
A turn of my head
And my millions follow
The pheasant; 'Christmas Dinner' was a commission of sorts, which I really enjoyed making. I have had some suitably posh seasonal greetings cards made of it. Contact me for availability.
I am the One
The One who decides
A flick of my wing
A turn of my head
And my millions follow
The pheasant; 'Christmas Dinner' was a commission of sorts, which I really enjoyed making. I have had some suitably posh seasonal greetings cards made of it. Contact me for availability.
For the two hare prints I again revisited the fascinating translation by Seamus Heaney of the list/poem, originally written in Middle English; 'The Names of the Hare' I also repeated the method of utilising one image to make a second version. First was a one colour linocut edition. I then used that to make the smaller colour and metallic ink version in screenprint.
This one is my favourite of this years work. It took quite a while to complete satisfactorily but it was worth it. 'I shall go into a Hare' (A portrait of Isobel Gowdie)
I have done a few prints over the years that reference some of the folklore concerning witches, the flower harebell and its use in making potions to enable 'shapeshifting' into a hare. This is the latest. I'm amazed to say that half of the edition of 20 sold in the first week of availability!
Click on the detail images below for a closer look.
And here is a link to some information about poor Isobel who inspired it all. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isobel_Gowdie
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'Glimpse' was another combination of linocut and screenprint; and again explored the use of 'Muybridge Motion'. Those following my social media posts will know the drama that went with the making of this!
Glimpse Below the weir The river smooths Her ruffled dress And there – Just a glimpse A shining stone Becomes a curving back. |
This print was one I had little confidence in being well received; insomuch as it is probably not accurate enough for actual falconers, but too 'accurately graphic' for the taste of many. Never mind. I'm delighted with it! It came from this 'circular' poem. And a video of its making is here
Song of the Rake Down from the Land o’ the Leal I came Before you even knew Each of my golden feet Were both A hammer and sickle for you And Slipping the shaft of my sight I fall To bring my kiss to you And as I smoothly stroke Your back Our ancient vows renew And |