Inking up the first block (again)
and hanging it up to dry…..
Giving It Another Go….
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New Studio
Here’s the new studio, with some of the presses installed. Just a bit more to go….
Well, I’m not sure but isn’t this brand new studio looking a lot like the old one?
Plants and Places by Angie Lewin
I’ve just finished reading fellow RE, and friend, Angie Lewin’s book – Plants and Places. I have to say it is beautiful, full of her exquisite wood engravings and linocuts and written by well known garden writer Leslie Geddes Brown.
I read it with a curious mixture of appreciation and teeth grinding envy. I even found myself putting the book down from time to time, just to fantasize that this was actually my book, full of my own work. Oh well, a girl can dream….
Here are the details if you’re interested in buying a copy – definitely recommended.
The Big Move
So it’s goodbye to Brixton and hello to West Dulwich.
After many years, Half Moon Studio is relocating to a 1930’s ex-factory building a couple of miles away.
And if that sounds like a simple operation, believe me, it hasn’t been. Several tons of printing presses have had to be moved -five of them, to be precise. In addition, there are several more tons of associated equipment – sinks, acid baths, paper drying racks, aquatint cupboard, metal guillotine, work tables, plan chests, etc.,- some of which have had to be winched out through the first floor window, straight onto the very busy Coldharbour Lane.
Not to mention, of course, the several hundred frames, several thousand sheets of paper, several million tubes of ink. Alright, I might be exaggerating here (but not by much).
And then there was all the rubbish – oh dear, I can’t go on.
Still, as we keep telling ourselves brightly whilst covered in dust and grime, it’s all going to be much better at the new place……
New Print
This is the final proof of my new linocut – it’s called West End Girl – and as usual I’m wondering if it’s okay or whether it needs some more work. Perhaps it lacks a little sparkle?
I really do hope it’s not back to the drawing board….
New Ashgate Gallery
I took a drive down to Farnham in Surrey the other day to deliver some prints for the New Ashgate gallery’s summer show. It’s only forty-odd miles away but, goodness me, getting out of London is such a slog – A23 south, then on to the M25 (oh joy) and then along the A3 to Guildford. Just an hour and forty minutes to you, Madam.
But never mind, it was worth it as Farnham is so pretty! Lots of lovely Georgian buildings and even a castle – I was truly smitten.
I guess if you were to live in a similar place in London, it would cost you many millions of pounds – Hampstead perhaps? For the first time in my life, I really started to seriously consider the benefits of moving out of London – must be my age…
Anyway, this is what I have on show there, if anyone is in the area.
Here We Go Again…..
One new lino block, with the line drawing transferred and ready for cutting……
A few hours later and the block is starting to take shape……..
And the pile of lino clippings grows ever larger…..
City of Gold
Just to say that the London Printmakers‘ exhibition at the Oxo gallery on the Southbank is only on for another week – the last day is Sunday 22nd May. Opening hours are every day from 11-6, admission free.
I have a few copies of City of Gold available at the show, if anyone is interested in acquiring one, but – I’m pleased to say – the edition is selling out fast…
Lino Wrestling
Newly arrived through the post is a five metre roll of lino from Lawrence Art Supplies
It’s so long that the only place that I can unroll it properly is in our hall at home.
With the helpful supervision of the dog, of course……
Next I spend a few 
happy hours on my knees, with a steel rule, set square and Stanley knife, cutting it into more manageable sections (and with hardly any weeping, swearing or shouting).
Finally, weary and battle-scarred, I stagger upstairs with it all and store it under the bed…..
Well, another vital job done and definitely worth a large glass of wine, I think….
This Saturday at the Oxo Gallery
London Printmakers have a new show on at the Oxo Gallery on the South Bank and I will be there, manning the gallery all day this Saturday (7th May) from 11am – 6pm.
I would really like to be able to say that that there will be fireworks, champagne and celebrities, but unfortunately no – there will only be two tired and slightly emotional printmakers present, but please do come along anyway and brighten our day….