I was always drawn to the craftier side of things when doing the textile course at Bath Spa University. I enjoyed experimenting with paste resist and indigo, testing recipes and trying different techniques, for instance applying and combing the paste. I then used some of these techniques in work with print pastes - acid dyes on silk and wool. Later when I had my own studio I became more interested in pattern and block printing. I now concentrate on making scarves and cushions using all these techniques.
While at university I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Japan. Other major influences have been Susan Bosence, whose book I use as a bible, and learning about the block printers Barron and Larcher, and seeing their work at the Craft Study Centre at the UCA in Farnham. Peggy Angus has recently been another inspiration - and Enid Marx, especially experimenting with prints from anything!
All sorts of things act as ideas for designs - wave across straight line from an illustration of an antique dress fabric in Susan Bosence's book, mosaics and painted designs from churches and museums visited on walking holidays in France and Italy, a photograph of reflections of a boat... I am interested in many patterns used by weavers, especially ikat designs. Nearly but not quite overprinting the same ikat design in slightly different colours can add a richness to the effect.
I use a variety of materials for making the actual blocks - I am particularly partial to balsa as it holds the print paste well and one can try lots of ideas quickly. The sheet foam used by railway modellers has its place! And lino of course is my mainstay.
While at university I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Japan. Other major influences have been Susan Bosence, whose book I use as a bible, and learning about the block printers Barron and Larcher, and seeing their work at the Craft Study Centre at the UCA in Farnham. Peggy Angus has recently been another inspiration - and Enid Marx, especially experimenting with prints from anything!
All sorts of things act as ideas for designs - wave across straight line from an illustration of an antique dress fabric in Susan Bosence's book, mosaics and painted designs from churches and museums visited on walking holidays in France and Italy, a photograph of reflections of a boat... I am interested in many patterns used by weavers, especially ikat designs. Nearly but not quite overprinting the same ikat design in slightly different colours can add a richness to the effect.
I use a variety of materials for making the actual blocks - I am particularly partial to balsa as it holds the print paste well and one can try lots of ideas quickly. The sheet foam used by railway modellers has its place! And lino of course is my mainstay.