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Wednesday 31 July 2019

Fields & Flowers, Kilkeaveragh




Fields & Flowers, Kilkeaveragh
reduction linocut by Teresa Newham

Our recent trip to County Kerry generated so many ideas that I thought I should make a start on at least one of them.  This reduction linocut is based on photos I took from our friends' living room window, and an Inktense pencil sketch I made of the same view.


source material: the sketch helped me see the potential
© Teresa Newham


I took some time over the design; the first draft was a little too graphic, and I altered the treatment of the clouds and the trees accordingly.  I set out to print just three colours, the first two overlapping as little as possible, so as to speed up the drying.


getting it right: refining the design
© Teresa Newham

For the first time in ages I was using traditional lino instead of softcut, and I had to adjust my cutting technique accordingly.  I soon got the hang of things again.  It's much easier now that I use a cutting mat - made of carpet gripper - instead of a bench hook.



the three reduction cuts, from one plate
© Teresa Newham

I traced the design onto the lino using carbon paper, and inked it with a pen. After making a few prints I discovered that the pen was transferring to the prints. So I cut away the clouds rather than wiping them, to prevent the pen transferring onto any more.


troubleshooting the sky
© Teresa Newham


I'd forgotten to wash away as much of the ink and carbon as I could before printing, so I did that after I'd printed the blue.  I used the prints where the pen was showing as trial runs for the green layers, to get the colours right - putting everything to good use!


the second printing: uneven marks add texture
© Teresa Newham


The result is a cheerful interpretation of the countryside around our friends' house on the Iveragh Peninsula.  It's not one of the obvious views of mountains or the sea, but it has a charm all its own.  And there will be more prints to come, I'm sure . . .


the finished print: only some will make it into the edition
© Teresa Newham







Monday 15 July 2019

All the Fun of the Fair



the stable block at Childwickbury Manor
© Teresa Newham

The first weekend of July means only one thing to art lovers around here: the Childwickbury Arts Fair! This year it was magnificent as always. Blessed by excellent weather on the Friday, we spent a happy few hours taking a good look round and speaking to as many people as we could.


artists' demos in the painting tent
© Teresa Newham

First stop the painting tent - a huge marquee with a dozen artists showing and demonstrating their work. Those in the photos are (clockwise from top left) Penny German, Tina Balmer, Jenny Wheatley and Ali Yanya.  It's a lovely environment in which to chat to people about their work.


a variety of arts and crafts behind the stable block
© Teresa Newham

Behind the stable block we found more painters, ceramicists, woodworkers and a variety of crafts.  Many of those exhibiting are regulars - it was great to catch up with them again. The montage above shows work by Anne Barrell and the Eeles Pottery, Vince King wood carving and Oli Fowler screen printing.


 inside the stable block - glass artists & printmaker Laura Boswell
© Teresa Newham

The stable block itself housed nearly thirty artists specialising in everything from jewellery to candles.  The glass artists were here -  Opal Seabrook, Siddy Langley (top L & R) and Karen Davies (bottom L). Across the stable yard in the main printmaker's area we talked with Laura Boswell and Tom Mitchell.


some of the printmakers and their kit
© Teresa Newham

The organisers at Childwickbury take great care to ensure that everything is just right, with eye-catching, colourful and quirky corners, and plenty of space for visitors to chill out in while they eat their lunch or take a rest in the shade.  It's a great day out - put it in your diary for next year!


touches of colour everywhere
© Teresa Newham

NB if you can't wait until next Summer, don't forget the Childwickbury Christmas Market on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November 2019 😉