Exhibitions, body press printing and printing with a press

The Dreaming Lark

Hello Reader

This months' news includes a glimpse of my new press, my freeing body press techniques on Dartmoor and upcoming markets and exhibitions.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton

Last week I visited the Devon Open Studios exhibition at Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton.

I was really pleased with the way they had hung my work and this was the first time I have seen how good 'art glass' looks on my work. It has less reflection which makes a big difference and the prints almost looked as if there wasn't any glass, so matt they were.

Our exhibition is upstairs while in the main gallery there is a wonderful exhibition of Dartmoor paintings by Yasmin David, daughter of Laurie Lee.

The exhibition continues until 23 October so still time to have a look!

Details of both exhibitions are here

Green Maker Initiative Market

I'll be at MAKE SouthWest with a selection of my lino prints and my collages on Saturday 17 October.

How did I get to be a Green Maker?

For much of my work I use acid-free recycled paper that is made in the UK, and all my packaging is bio-degradable made from cellophane, glassine paper or heavy brown paper and cardboard. The commercial inks I use are made from vegetable oils and wash up with soap and water.

The collages I make are a result of cutting up unsuccessful prints and making monoprints from the ink left on the plate at the end of my printing sessions.

Under The Tree

Earlier this year I applied and was accepted as a MAKE SouthWest associate maker. So I'm delighted to be selected for MAKE SouthWest's Christmas show this year.

I'll have a selection of framed and unframed prints available at this prestigious event.

Green Hill Arts Winter Fair

I'm also delighted to be taking part in the Green Hill Winter exhibition from November 13th - December 24th

This is such a lovely gallery in Mortonhampstead with wonderful exhibitions.

Granite Elements exhibition

I'll be at TAAG in Teignmouth with this lovely group of artists for the tenth year celebration from November 21 - 27

Widecombe Market

And if that not enough! I'll be at Widecombe-on-the-moor craft market in the church hall on Thursday 22nd October.

My new press!

At some point when all my current prints are sold I will no longer be able to say they are pressed with my feet!

After a bit of a battle to get some compensation for the Dartington MA Poetics of Imagination that was cancelled half way through, I used the money for my Cornish painting holiday (see the last newsletter) and buying a press.

This is an etching press but prints lino beautifully.

It was made for me by John Pears of Rollaco presses and it's one of two in the UK with the wheel on the right. Having little experience with a press, I thought it would be easier with it on the right, and now having used it a few times I think I made the right decision!

You can watch a video of me using it for the first time with a linocut I carved at Open Studios here

Foot Pressing

I will still use my feet on the moors! No point in having a 60 something year old body tool and not using it!

Here are a couple of prints I have made on the moors. Sitting on a blanket, carving, inking and pressing.

'Dartmoor in brown' was this summer, parched by the sun.

I love making these, I sketch straight onto the lino so it is very immediate and freeing. Everything is in reverse so you are viewing the otherworld!

You can watch my videos making these on the moors here and here

Lino Prints and Collages to buy

If you can't get to any events but you fancy a hand and foot made lino print you can explore my work here and take 10% off with the code Larks10 at checkout!

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