Purchasing an Original Print is an Investment…

…from concept to completion in something unique by the artist!

The entire process is one based on my passion for printmaking. 

Over the past twenty-plus years, I have learned, experimented, developed and honed the techniques and skills I use to translate the ideas in my head, entirely by hand, to paper.

The stages in making one of my prints include time spent gathering ideas. 

I make sketches, and thumbnails and take photographs. I allow them to percolate over months, or even years until I know what approach to take. Will I make a monotype, a collagraph, or a combination of the two? Will I include plants, feathers, and other found materials? Will I make one or more small plates to add extra (moveable) elements to the composition?

A monotype may require a line drawing to guide me in applying the inks. 

I might make hand-cut masks and stencils and/or monotype trace-drawn lines. What tools will I use - brushes, card scrappers, rollers, kebab sticks?

A collagraph will require a plate to be made and decisions are taken on what materials to use. 

The application of ink follows with trial and error as the actual printing begins. Sometimes the process is smooth and with a fair wind, fast and productive. Sometimes though, it is less straight forward and it may take weeks to work out the best way to get a successful print. It is always fascinating, sometimes frustrating and generally rewarding.

What Is Unique About My Work?

Combining monotype and collagraph print media

A printmaker can print an edition of two or more prints that are the same as the artist's proof print when there is a plate made with a permanent image on it. I make variable edition prints, which means that each and every print made from the plate I’ve created is different because I combine monotype with collagraph print media.

Every print is unique

It is virtually impossible to replicate a monotype by hand even when I use the same composition with a line drawing guide under the plate.

The light in the landscape is constantly changing anyway, so my work reflects those changes in light, mood, weather and seasons. Wildlife moves in and out of the space at will. When I make variable editions with monotype and collagraph (a maximum of 20 prints), each and everyone is different.

My work is inspired by Northumberland and Scottish Highland and Islands seascapes. I incorporate smaller plates with the main plate, such as birds in flight. I also print with found materials from the landscape, feathers, seaweeds, grasses and other plants. Take a look at my New Work, Landscape, Seascape and/or Wildlife Prints.

Some, but not all of my originals, are available to order as a limited edition giclée print, at the original size, once an original is sold. These limited editions are exact replicas of the original print. The edition size is also no more than 20.

You can also order a limited edition print at a one-off size bespoke to fit a specific space. This is usually larger than the original. Email me for a price.

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