I am a printmaker living in Bolton in North West England, and printing at Hot Bed Press in Salford. While I use screenprinting for my more “serious” artworks, I also use gelatine printing for my “fun” activities such as printmaking with children.
I regularly print with children at craft fairs and markets such as Levenshulme Market in Manchester where I have affectionately been called the “Picture Man”!
I discovered printmaking by chance over a decade ago at an Open Day where Hot Bed Press had a stall. They had a small etching press, a lino block, some paper and ink, and I was hooked!
My “serious” artworks currently are based on modern twenty first century architecture often viewed from unusual angles. The results can be almost abstract, yet based in reality. I like to print using colours popular in Art Deco posters and illustrations. I hope they will appeal to young professional people looking for something different for the walls of their apartments.
Gelatine Printmaking
is a method of making monotype prints using a flexible, resilient gelatine plate. Good transfer of the printing inks occurs giving bright, colourful prints.
There are many ways to produce gelatine monotypes but one of the easiest, yet most effective methods, is by using stencils and masks. Indeed it is so easy that children can produce their own masterpieces with little difficulty.
As well as doing gelatine printing with children at craft fairs, I am also available for children’s parties, summer and Christmas fairs and for workshops for adults as well as children.
Screen Printing
is the main technique for my more serious artworks. Most pieces are based on a series of blotch screens with a final detail screen. The images are usually developed from my own photographs.
I love twenty first century architecture. Often the shapes involved are almost sculptural and it is possible to get abstract works which are, at the same time, rooted in reality. I think of it as Architectural Abstraction.
Sizes vary but are usually common frame sizes, such as 16 inches by 12 inches or 20 inches by 16 inches so framing is not a costly undertaking.
