I’m currently working on some large scale lino blocks to print floral patterns as part of my continuing pattern research. At the same time I’m also teaching our BA2 group how to create repeating printed patterns, so it’s always nice when there is some parallels between what I’m up to and what the students are doing.
I have been returning to my sketchbook of floral drawings I made from my trip to the Italian Alps, and exploring them again with new paper cutouts as I think about overprinting and block rotation. I’ve not proofed the plate yet, but here’s some work in progress images from the studio.
A dear old school friend of mine has turned 50 and to celebrate her birthday I designed and printed a small book to celebrate some of the many memories we have shared over the years. The book had 50 pages that referenced everything from an all day breakfast, to a game of Sorry, to her love of the band A-Ha! I also included some references to design classics I knew she’d love, including Mr Tickle, Marimekko’s Unikko design, andAlexander Girard doll and a Barbara Hepworth sculpture. She’s an architect so there are building details and she’s a lover of handbags so there are a few of those, and plenty of printed pattern!
It was suggested to me by my wise husband that I use the reduction lino-cutting technique – I hadn’t used it for some years, so it took a while to get my head around what I needed to keep and what I needed to cut away after each layer. I opted for three layers: yellow, blue then red, but also customised a square to be green for a Lego tree, and a specific blue for the Cornishware pottery – I made the extra effort – she’s a special friend!
Although it was a very tricky project carried out across the busiest few weeks of this year I really enjoyed the challenge of the reduction lino and am sure I’ll go back to the process in the not too distant future.
Kate Farley - drawn to design 