Hi All
I hope you’re well and enjoying the Autumn colours. I have to say that I’m thoroughly enjoying running the Print Studio full time. It’s great to have the headspace to do this and only this. And it’s totally lovely to see people back in the studio using the presses and enjoying the courses.
In addition to running workshops and courses, I also have a Membership scheme which steps down from £30 to £20 for annual membership from January 2022 (and £10 from May). Membership will enable you to use the studio for open access (£15 for 3 hours). You’ll also need to do an Induction (£15) for 30 minutes the first time you come to the studio. Members get 5% discount on courses, on top of bundle discounts!
And I do gift vouchers too….just email me….
Course Highlights
Final call!
I’m running sweet little 45-minute sessions to print Christmas cards this Saturday 20 November from pre-cut motifs. Just £8 per person and includes a mince pie and some mulled wine, donations to Eden Valley Hospice. Good for families. Bookings:
Artists’ Development Jan-Mar 2022 – Just 2 places left on this course!
An 8-session course on Thursdays over 12 weeks.
For people looking to develop their artistic practice beyond just technique become more experimental, engaged and expressive. Using Julia Cameron’s The Artists Way as a starting point, the course explores a range of exercises and activities designed to expand the way you think and tap into your inspirations more easily. Maximum 6 participants. Session dates: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 3 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar. 7.00-8.30pm
Mezzotint* with Heather Young
Thursday 10 March, 10-4pm - £90
Saturday 21 May, 10-4pm - £90
This beautiful 18th century printmaking technique will allow you to create dark, tonally-rich prints using traditional, hand-rocked copper plates. You will learn how to create a plate and print it using the traditional etching press.
Stamping fun
Saturday 12 March, 10-4pm - £80
I’m really excited about this one! You’ll learn how to create little stamps from linocuts and the print glittery ridiculousnesses with embossing powders. You’ll take home a range of small stamps mounted on wood and acrylic, including one magical rolling stamp, exclusive to Linden Print Studio.
Watchtree Calendars and Moth Prints
I’ve sold out of the handprinted letterpress calendars but I am delighted to have Watchtree Nature Reserve calendars for sale in the studio. They feature beautiful photography by visitors and Watchtree enthusiasts of wildlife and flora.
Minimum donation £3 (for reference, Countryfile calendars cost £10)
And many thanks to the people who have been buying my moth prints – I have made a donation to Watchtree to support their moth and invertebrate conservation efforts and will continue to do so everytime I sell a moth print.
Sustainability at Linden Print Studio
Listening to and reading about the wash-out that has been COP26, I’ve been thinking about my responsibilities and what I do in the studio.
Here’s a list of things I’ve always done:
Water-washable linseed/soy-oil based inks
Recyclable plastic for drypoint
Vegetable-oil based cleaner
Upcycling mountcard
Recycled paper for printmaking
Recycled paper for teaching resources
Making paper from offcuts/scraps
Wash and re-use rags and scrim
Non-toxic etching using copper sulphate/ferric chloride
Professional disposal of waste etching chemicals via certified company
Vintage equipment – relief, intaglio and letterpress presses, guilllotine, lead type
Recycling bins for plastic and paper
Paper-based and biodegradeable adhesive tapes
Food waste is composted
Portable press hire
Low-energy lightbulbs
Insulated wallls and flooring and off-peak underfloor heating
Minimise travel and fuel consumption
And here’s some new things I wlll do:
Pick you up from Dalston train station, Orton Grange Farm Shop (bus stop) or Dobbies (bus stop) if you come via public transport
Provide secure parking your bike
Help you refurbish and look after your printing press
Point you towards printmaking suppliers who don’t sell poor-quality equipment and materials
And if you would like to talk through sustainability and/or have any suggestions for how we can take more climate change actions, feel free to get in touch.
Call-outs
Linden Print Studio
I’m still looking for printmakers to exhibit in my studio from January – end of March and then April – end of June.
I will charge 20% commission for work sold but equally you can use it for project work or to explore an idea.
Fruitful
Florence Arts is looking for artists/groups of artists to submit their work to this forthcoming exhibition:
Deadline: 1 December 2021
Exhibitions
I’m really pleased to be showing some work in this group exhibition: https://www.florenceartscentre.com/gallery/reform
It’s on until 18 December. I won’t say more except that the work is exciting, varied and how it all came together is fascinating. Just go. And you can pick up a free zine made by me while stocks last! I’m running a drop-in zine and badge-making workshop there on 11 December.
Cumbria Printmakers is showing at two great venues – the Beacon in Whitehaven (until 2 Jan) and the John Muir Wild Space Centre in Pitlochry (until 30 Nov). You won’t find my work there but there are some really talented printmakers in Cumbria and I’m sure you’ll find something you like.
And finally, just a reminder that ceramicist Hilary Harrison and I are currently showing our work at my studio until Christmas. If you’re casting around for Christmas presents, then there’s plenty of things that might suit. I’ll also be showing a selection of my work at woodworker Jonathan Leech’s studio towards the end of this month. I’ll drop you a quick email when I know more.
I think that’s all, I’ll be back in touch in January so have a great couple of months and wishing you all the best,
Vega
*A TV dramatisation of The Mezzotint, a ghost story by MR James will be broadcast this Christmas. It’s been directed by Mark Gatiss so should be good.
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