Category Archives: Arty Stuff

Carving The Background.

I’ve more or less finished carving the head of the Mari Lwyd in the foreground so today I gave some attention to the background. I wanted some detail in it, but not enough to compete with the Mari Lwyd. I wanted to have some light showing in the background but I didn’t want a solidContinue reading “Carving The Background.”

Some Spontaneity…

I did some more drawing on my new Mari Lwyd linocut, it is almost finalised, and I got on with some more carving today. I rarely complete the drawing before I start carving because I often want to change some of the design when I see it starting to take shape on the block. SomeContinue reading “Some Spontaneity…”

An Overlooked Destination.

I went to the opening of a lovely exhibition for International Women’s Day, at Cynon Valley Museum in Aberdare. The show is called ‘Women & The Valleys: The Valleys’ Daughters’ , curated by Karin Mear and runs until 30th March 2025. I submitted my screenprint, “Smiling and Splendid” inspired by the Miner’s Wives struggle ofContinue reading “An Overlooked Destination.”

Shaft Of Spring Sunshine.

I started to carve into my large lino block this afternoon and a shaft of Spring sunshine glowed across the room and onto my work space. The strong shadow made the cutting difficult, but I thought it made a good photo. I’m using a Flexcut gouge and traditional grey, hessian-backed lino.

Sketchbook Archives: 27

Back in May 2013, I visited the USA to do a residency at Wingtip Press in Boise, Idaho. Here are some of my sketches from that visit. It was a fascinating journey, Idaho is the Wild West and the culture and geography are so different to the UK. I’m used to wet Wales and BoiseContinue reading “Sketchbook Archives: 27”

Drawing Details.

Over the past few days I’ve been carving details of my new Mari Lwyd linocut design into a small piece of lino to see how they work out, so now I’ve started drawing details onto my full size block. There’s a way to go yet though before I start carving…

Ribbons And Bells.

I’m carrying on cutting my practice piece, carving some bells and ribbons that will adorn the head of the Mari Lwyd. The bells are quite a challenge. I’m using Flexcut tools kept sharp with a Slip Strop into traditional grey hessian-backed lino. I drew directly onto the lino with a Faber Castell Pitt drawing pen,Continue reading “Ribbons And Bells.”

Blooded Myself…Again!

I’ve cut the little eye of the Mari Lwyd, a practice run for my next large-ish linocut. I’m using traditional grey, hessian-backed lino and Flexcut tools and a Slip Strop to keep them sharp. I blooded myself today! Still do it after all these years!

Sketchbook Archives: 26

Here are some heads from May 2013. Three are from my sketchbooks, one is charcoal over a discarded cyanotype print, one chalk over an ink splash, and one full colour monotype. I think I like drawing people’s faces more than any other thing.