The Creative Process of my Woodcut Prints
The process.
The wool press - a functional tool and process that I have grown up with and have seen being used my whole life. Although not necessarily in the same way! I have always loved printing and the experimental nature of exploring mark-making through different techniques.
So one day when I was pressing wool, the thought came to me… This would be a great way to create an experimental printing press! So I gave it a go. It provided a great way and means to press on a large scale.
I have been incredibly lucky to have Grahame my partner help me with refining the technical side of things, as we use the wool press’s pressure in a different way and onto a different material - that being my MDF carved plywood onto paper as opposed to compressed wool. This led to some setbacks with pressure distribution and discovering bora bugs - but we replaced some of the wooden framing and we were good to go!
The carving and creation of each piece is a very physical and immersive process - for me, each print’s process has significant meaning to the artwork. It is like a meditation, slowly carving out patterns and forms each day to make time for creativity, reflection and dreaming.
The printing process is one of my highlights in the creation process as it combines two of my passions - farming and creativity. It’s a magical moment, as at this point I have no idea how the artwork will appear once pressed in ink. I have to embrace the imperfect nature of mark-making and also the mirrored composition! Each print pressed has its own character, as the application of ink and pressure creates unique marks and different textures every time.
This collection of hand-carved woodcut prints intends to tell a range of stories and convey impressions that have had significant meaning to me and my own felt experiences. These impressions are mostly sourced from nature or experiences I’ve shared with the people I love.
My story might be different to your story when you look at each piece - This is what I love. You can be absorbed by your imagination, create a conversation or tell a story that has meaning to you. Escape into the composition and dream for a little bit - just like my creation process. Or it might be that it reminds you of something, a memory or even reinforce a dream. Each impression and experience is always unique and to be celebrated.
The ink.
Fun fact - I mix black, yellow, blue and red together, as this helps to create a richer and deeper black.