My story
I’m a printmaker and artist based in Mallorca, where I’ve lived since 2008. My work is inspired by the flora, fauna and natural world around me, and a wish to share them through detailed prints that people can afford and enjoy.
Growing up in rural Wales roaming fields and woodland, I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors and animals. Here in Mallorca, I return to places where I feel a connection to the land (and frequently add to my collection of feathers, leaf skeletons, bones and more of nature’s ‘treasures’).
I work from my home studio in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains, where I live with my multilingual family (and our cat, Cuscús).
Approach & process
Everything starts with a drawing: an idea in my sketchbook, a layout for a print, or a work in charcoal.
It’s an organic process that’s never completely under my control, whether that’s due to the nature of the materials or the result of something going awry (as it inevitably does). I like to mull things over and tease out the vision in my mind, which often changes again once it’s on the plate or the paper.
I love the tactile nature of both printing and charcoal, from the action of carving and the feel of the final plate, to the adding, removing and smudging of the charcoal.
Tools & materials
Linocut is a traditional relief printing technique that can be one of the most respectful to the environment, with a range of non-toxic options available in terms of materials.
I use Pfeil carving tools, biodegradable hessian-backed grey lino (made using linseed oil and wood flour) and Caligo Safe Wash relief inks. When cleaning up, I remove as much ink as possible from the plate and tools before wiping them down with a damp rag, to make sure no ink goes down the drain.
Plates are printed using my Reig mechanical etching press or Woodzilla relief press (handy for small items like cards).
Likewise, one of the reasons I love charcoal so much is that it’s a completely natural material with very low environmental impact.