About the Artist

Whimsical hand printed art, illustration and stationery; inspired by nostalgic storybooks, fairy tales, folklore and nature

I’m an illustrator and printmaker based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. I work from my studio at Hotwalls Studios in Old Portsmouth.

My work evokes a sense of nostalgia, with a lot of my ideas coming from fairy tales. These stories teach us valuable life lessons, and how to find strength in our darkest times. If you go back far enough, the early versions of these tales are rather dark compared to the versions we remember from our childhood - and it’s not always ‘happily ever after’. These dark themes spark ideas within me for illustrations, and I enjoy the challenge of matching this darkness with grace, charm and light.

I studied illustration at the University of Portsmouth, which is where I first tried linocut. The process involves using sharp tools to cut an image into a piece of linoleum. The surface is then inked up, and the image is transferred onto paper by using a printing press. It’s a very therapeutic and almost meditative process, and I think it’s my way of being mindful and finding some inner peace.

Although the process is simple, it can take me a long time to complete a final print from the first sketch. After sketching an idea several times, the final composition is transferred onto the lino block. I’ll start slowly cutting out the lino using my tools, carving out the negative space and leaving behind the positive to be inked up. I often leave marks to chance and decide in the moment how I’ll create texture within the block. By layering colours, I’m able to achieve a warm depth in my illustrations that I just can’t do with pencil or pen. Using this printmaking process really helps my ideas come to life.

I believe art should be affordable and accessible to all. Printmaking enables me to create affordable handmade multiples of the same artwork, but each one unique and sometimes limited in number.

I’m always reviewing my processes to ensure my practice does not have a negative impact on the environment. I use vegetable-based inks that don’t require harsh chemicals to clean up. My papers are sustainable, acid free or recycled. I reuse or recycle prints that are not fit for sale, and I use 100% recyclable or compostable materials for my packaging.