A Great Escape Art - Open Studios

A studio full of colour, light & pattern, walls busy reflecting the colours and textures of the Cornish landscape - moors, rivers, plants & shores.

During a year I work on 3 collections. My collection of acrylics on canvas cover a wide range of themes that reflect the colours and textures of the Cornish landscape. From the calm of woodlands and rivers, to the ruggedness of the moors and coastline. From the blaze of colour of flowers in our Cornish hedgerows & gardens to the paraphernalia of the fishing trade on the quayside, there is something for all to enjoy.

My watercolour collection focuses on plants and flowers. They are heavily influenced by Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints with black Ink outlines, fading colours in the background, sweeping diagonal compositions and long slim formats. More recently I have also been working in a more ‘botanical’ style of detailed plants and vegetables.

My third collection is Gyotaku – Monoprinting with real fish! (‘Gyo’ = fish, ‘taku’ = rubbing in Japanese). The traditional method used by Japanese fishermen to record their catch. They would coat the fish in squid ink then press the fish on the deck of the boat or on paper, leaving an impression of their ‘trophy’ catch. I use acrylic paint rather than squid ink for the initial monoprint. I then use gouache to paint the eyes and highlight the fins. Although 15 – 25 pieces may be printed with one fish during a session no one piece is the same as another, each piece is unique and an original.
Recently I have been experimenting with linocuts as I have refurbished an early 1900’s mangle to use as my printing press – I’m hoping to have it available so you can print one of my designs for yourself!

I am a textile designer and many of my paintings are printed onto scarves which are sold as a Limited Edition. My studio and gallery is our home. The walls and rooms will be re-dressed to hang my full range of originals and display archival prints, scarves and greetings cards so that you can browse at your leisure.