Ochre studio: screen printing again.

So after an extremely long time I am back in a proper print studio again. 

Back in October I made a deal with my mum that if she paid then I would teach my dad to screenprint as a birthday present. 

It's taken a while to organise, given that it's march but we've finally got around to it! 

Ochre studios in Guildford is housed within the Lockwood day centre. It's a really lovely space with spaces for screen and relief printing. 

It was lovely to teach someone to print and so great to be back to printing properly after so much time. 

It is a bit like riding a bike you never forget but it's reassuring to know I've still got the skills. Here's a few photos if the studio and my first official pupil printing his artwork! 

First day printing in the studio!

My first day in the studio didn't quite go according to plan. It's like a nice box at the moment. I know its good for slowing down the drying process for it to be a bit chilly but this was possibly a but too cold. The new ink I've got isn't performing as well as I'd hoped which us leading to poor quality prints but I'm hoping that's because it's about 2 degrees and not rubbish ink. I've tracked down a hair dryer and am hoping to source a small fan/space heater so round 2 should be better!! 

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Printing supplies! Finally

I've finally ordered some beautiful intaglio printing inks and Japanese paper. 

A few nice quality rollers and a hand burnished and I'm well on my way. Can't wait to get into my studio properly and start printing. 

I'm planning on starting by reprinting a few of my favourite blocks made at uni. Hopefully then I'll have a bit more inspiration and get through this creative block I'm having. 

New projects.

I've enrolled on a beginners quilting course starting in September. It'll be so exciting to learn modern and traditional techniques which I can then use to make some quirky quilts from my own designs. 

The aim is to get motivated and start doing more design work. 

It may not be printing but I started off with textiles and fabrics skills and its a great place to be. 

Studio space

My new studio space is so very nearly finished! Very exciting. 

Just need to buy the glass for my printing table too and then start saving for a press and investing in inks, spatulas and lovely new rollers. 

Watch this space, beautiful prints coming soon! 

It's not shiny and new but its just what we need. 

Wallpaper block printing class

Just a cheeky blog post about this Sundays block printed wallpaper class.
A lovely afternoon session at the Papered Parlour. Taught by Gemma Ooi of Custhom design and assisted by me.
Some gorgeous designs, hardworking students and a varied range of imagery. I'm absolutely loving getting back to printing again and it's great to get a chance to introduce new people to it too.
Here's a few snaps of everyone hard at work.

Printmaker/surface pattern designer job needed

After nearly a year of interning and part time jobs I have decided, enough us enough, I need to get back to printing.
And so the massive job hunting, application writing, persuasive letter writing begins.

Anyone with any printing opportunities or who know someone who does please get in touch!