Getting Stuck In…

After trawling through photos and sketches, I’m getting stuck in to working out different bits of the composition. This is partly to get familiar with the details and partly to work out if this is what I want to go with. This is based on a photo I took of the spectacular fire spinner DdraigContinue reading “Getting Stuck In…”

Trawling For Inspiration.

I’ve been trawling through my sketchbooks and photo archives for images to inspire me to develop a large-scale woodcut or painting of the annual Mari Lwyd celebrations locally. These are showing some promise. The fire spinner is the amazing Ddraig Williams and he’ll be a central figure if the composition works out as I want.

Roughing It: A Starting Point.

I’ve been mulling over an idea for ages, years, for a large woodcut or maybe a painting. I’ve been doing smaller pieces of work that have been independent of each other, but also try out elements of a potential larger artwork. Today I finally got off my bot and grabbed an A3 sketchbook (brown paper)Continue reading “Roughing It: A Starting Point.”

A Practice Block

While I was developing the image for my latest Mari Lwyd linocut, I cut a small practice block. I was unsure about the way I had designed the eye, the little mushrooms on her hat, and the ribbons and bells. To make sure I had it right, and also to get to see how myContinue reading “A Practice Block”

Twenty Five Years…

It’s 25years since Swansea Print Workshop began! To celebrate, we’re doing a load of special things throughout the year. I’ve recently been working on a new Mari Lwyd linocut and it’s my submission to an artists book we’re creating – 25 artists for 25 years. The theme is very loose, “Swansea”, and each print willContinue reading “Twenty Five Years…”

Magic Is Her Name…

I printed two proof prints from my latest linoblock yesterday and today I took them down to Swansea Print Workshop. It’s our 25th anniversary this year and we’re doing a whole load of things to celebrate, including making a large concertina book featuring new prints (lino and silkscreen) from 20 or so of our artists,Continue reading “Magic Is Her Name…”

Pulling A Proof…

I finished carving my latest Mari Lwyd linocut this morning and pulled a couple of proof prints, which are the first to be printed and give you the chance to check out the image and see if the block needs any more work. I’m pretty pleased with it, I will cut into a few ofContinue reading “Pulling A Proof…”

Nearly Finished Carving…

I’m so close to finishing cutting my new lino block, I hope another hour or so tomorrow and then I can do a proof print to see if it needs any more work. I’m getting excited now! This is based on some sketches I did at night at the Gower Wassail and Mari Lwyd celebration at Hen Galan.

Yes? No? Maybe?

I did an initial cut on a square of soft vinyl a couple of days ago, dividing the piece into 9 small squares and now I need to get an idea of whether they’re okay, which ones need more cutting, which to discard. I could ink it up and put it through a press butContinue reading “Yes? No? Maybe?”

Up The Workers (with added cat)!

I have a permanent exhibition at The Workers Gallery in Ynyshir where I am one of the gallery artists. Started by Gayle Rogers and Chris Williams just over a year ago, The Workers has developed into a major cultural force in The Rhondda Valley. Originally the village library, Gayle and Chris took it over afterContinue reading “Up The Workers (with added cat)!”