Mourning and making

 

the dining room, transformed
© Teresa Newham

It's been a strange start to this year's #HertsOpenStudios.  The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II two days before the event began cast a pall over our preparations; my parents married during her Coronation year so I grew up with the souvenirs they were given as wedding presents; and her portrait (the Annigoni one, without the crown) hung in my primary school hall.

my studio, transformed
© Teresa Newham

We weren't at all sure that anyone would come on the first Saturday; in the morning we sat and watched the proclamation of the new King on TV - this was, after all, history in the making - but we were delighted that a few visitors did appear throughout the day, lightening the mood.

every inch of space in use
© Teresa Newham

Sue and I have our usual set up in my studio and dining room, and this year I put a short film on my YouTube channel showing before and after pictures, as well as a video of the whole event for those who can't make it or would like to see what's on display before they decide to come along.

some of Sue's displays
© Teresa Newham

We've had a steady stream of visitors, and everyone has stayed for some time to chat over a cup of tea as well as look at the art.  Perhaps people are feeling more like talking this year; we've certainly had some interesting conversations.

lots of cards as well as exhibits
© Teresa Newham

For my demo I've been making books for sketching/notes/collage, inspired by a video from Handprinted UK which I first saw during lockdown.  This is the first chance I've had to put it into practice.  We're open again this Saturday, next Wednesday and on Saturday 1st October, so there's still time to see us - for full details of venue and opening times click here!

my demo - making sketchbooks
© Teresa Newham

Late Summer Hollyhocks

 

Late Summer Hollyhocks
reduction linocut by
Teresa Newham

I meant to spend August preparing for #HertsOpenStudios - but instead, I found myself playing hooky and indulging in some last-minute linocut printing.  Last summer, hollyhocks seemed to be everywhere I went, brightening up gardens from Cambridgeshire to Dorset and all points in between.

working up the design
© Teresa Newham

Once I'd started spotting them I couldn't stop - and the photos I took formed the basis of my design.  I decided to go for broke and cut the complete outline, trusting that the registration would work.  At this stage I only had the vaguest notion of how the printing would proceed.

cutting the outline
© Teresa Newham

I began with yellow for summer sunshine, then added blue sky at the top and some pink at the bottom, which looked red on top of the yellow and represents heat.  I used extender throughout, keeping all the layers thin so that they didn't take long to dry. 

printing early layers in the studio
© Teresa Newham

I hadn't planned for the flowers to be so pink, but while I was experimenting with colours this one appeared and I liked the way it popped against the background.  I added the dark red centres with my finger, which gave me a lot of control over the positioning on the petals.

getting the colours of the flowers right
© Teresa Newham

I assumed I would need two layers of green for the leaves, but when I came to assess the print after the first one, I realised that it was finished.  Just as well, because I was terribly behind with my Open Studios preparations and have only just caught up in time for this Saturday!

some of the finished prints
© Teresa Newham

#HertsOpenStudios runs from Saturday 10th September to Sunday 2nd October 2022.  I'll be sharing my studio with fellow artist Sue Wookey again this year - you can find full details of our venue and opening times here and an overview of the whole event here. With around 130 artists taking part throughout Hertfordshire, there really is something for everyone!

'Redwings in the Holly' and 'Late Summer Hollyhocks'
framed ready for Herts Open Studios
© Teresa Newham