Images
for my collagraph prints are built up by my creating collages
of texture from a magical mixture of objects ranging from old
lace to vintage wallpaper, mohair wool to fine silk, sometimes
even including chocolate wrappings! I seal them on cardboard 'boards'
using shellac, hand ink and print them on a traditional etching
press using specialist etching paper.
Each
print within the very Limited Edition of 10 is individually embellished
by hand and will have had many days spent adding layers and textures
to it before I am happy to seal it and print from it.
The
process of printing a collagraph is very similar to printing an
etching, identical inks, papers and an etching press is used.To
print each collagraph etching ink is rubbed onto to the sealed
board (using fingers) and then polished off using various techniques.
Once
inked and polished, it's ready to be put through the etching press
(which looks like a giant mangle), the inked board is placed face
up on the bed of the press, specialist etching paper is soaked
in water to soften it and as they both pass through the press
great pressure is applied and the image (including all the texture
and lines) is transferred to the paper. The collagraph is then
gently wrapped in tissue and blotting paper and placed under heavy
boards to settle and dry for five days.
Finally
it's ready for me to embellish it by hand using various combinations
of gilding, collage and paint. The
influence of each medium and process plays an important part in
determining the character of the final piece. As
both a Fine Artist and a Printmaker I blur the boundaries between
painting and printmaking, mixing media within each image. The
influence of each medium plays an important part in determining
the character of the final piece. Enjoying the process of creation
and allowing myself the freedom to experiment keeps my work fresh
and exciting.
At
last it's the Embellished Collagraph you are familiar with!
My
landscapes and skies capture the enchanting beauty of the South
Downs and the Sussex Coast; layers of collage and splashes of
paint convey the feeling, the mood, the timeless essence of each
place.
All
my life I've lived by the sea around the world: on the Gold Coast
of West Africa, beside the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas
and on the New England Coast in the US, before raising my family
near Brighton's famous pebble beach. Naturally I’m drawn
to paint beautiful atmospheric seascapes, dramatic skies and gorgeous
golden beaches.
My
collagraphs have been featured in Sussex
Life, Arty Magazine
and Brighton and Hove Life.