"The artist...is also a born adventurer. His explorations, unlike those of a tourist, are rewarded by the discovery of beauty spots unmentioned in the guide books, and with tireless curiosity and an exceptional proneness to wonderment, he will come upon objects of remarkable interest overlooked or even shunned by more disciplined observers."

Augustus John, R.A.




Friday 23 May 2014

Derbyshire Open Arts, New Mills Town Hall 24th - 26th May.

On the road again.. Off to the High Peak District of Derbyshire.



All packed up, it just about all fits in. I really need a van.



Where I've come from.
This is the summit of Holme Moss looking back towards Holmfirth. A typical Spring day on the high Yorkshire Moors. If it was fine there would be a view all down the Holme Valley.



Where I'm going.
Looking down towards Woodhead. The weather could be better.



Lower down the hill, driving out of the cloud and the weather improves slightly. This is Woodhead in Longdendale.



The gig. New Mills Town Hall. In an area of stunning scenery that hither to I've sadly neglected to explore. I'm less than 40 miles from my home and I've  never been here before.


All set up and ready.






The exhibition opens tomorrow at 10.00am and runs until 5pm on Monday. Drop  by and say hello if you are in the area.

Saturday 17 May 2014

Scratching, Scraping and Burnishing


Haven't got a clue if I'm doing this right but something seems to be happening. I suppose all will be revealed (or not) when I get to the proofing stage. It's very hard to tell if I've scraped back enough or not enough so it is impossible to even guess how it will print. I'm beginning to wish that I had picked a less ambitious subject for a first go though. Especially as this is something that I've already tried and failed to do as a linocut.

Sunday 11 May 2014

Etal Castle, Northumberland



Etal Castle
11 colour reduction linocut.
270mm x 169mm
Edition of 10.
£110.00 Unframed.

A bit of a rushed one this. I had 8 prints ready for the Biscuit Factory Summer Exhibition in Newcastle. Then at the last minute decided to do another one. This was intended to be a simple 5 colour print but as usual I kept adding colours as I played around with the texture on the stonework. Just finished it in time, finally framing it on Friday evening ready for delivery to Newcastle yesterday morning.

This is the Gatehouse of Etal Castle near Wooller, not far from the Scottish Border. The print is available to purchase from my Folksy Shop here