Dear readers & a warm welcome to all lovely new subscribers,

Joyous new year wishes to you all…..this is a short wee story post to send some bright pops of blueness your way…..inspired by those endless blue skies & some dark inky hues to dive right into. It is suddenly a hot new favourite of mine, you know that 80’s electric blue….just bypass the dodgy shoulder pads……

To help celebrate the final week of January, I have a promotion in my online shop - 10% from all orders placed by the end of the day on the 31st. Just enter the code NOJANBLUES at checkout.

This is my way to say thank you for supporting a small business and as a vital way to encourage our creative community to keep going and to challenge high street shopping. I remember buying the most beautiful hand papercut card from papercut illustrator, author & shadow puppet maker ‘Eriko Kono’ at the Edinburgh Printmaker’s Christmas Market and just being blown away by the intricacy of her work. She includes a wondrous story about the papercut on the back which takes you on a journey of discovery and wonder……it really adds that extra smile to your purchase. See my ‘discover’ button below to follow a link.

I have been spending some time crafting small plywood mounted works and a few are available in my shop. They work so well standing on a surface, or using the drill hole on the back, just to sit flush to the wall on a nail. Installing just couldn’t be easier! They work well on their own, or as a small group together. As usual with my practice, they are all unique works, screen printed on Southbank Smooth 250 gsm paper. I like how the print is not covered by glass, or surrounded by the confines of a frame. Last night I actually had the idea to print directly to the wood surface, so look out for some experiments soon!

Besides my plan to explore screen printing directly to wooden panels, I also plan on experimenting with screen printing through fine woven fabrics, like silk, to leave a slightly textured surface to the print. I am curious about what may happen & I will endeavour to do some short videos of process to share, this is something I aim to do more of to offer an insight into how I layer my works.

A final thank you to all new subscribers to my story posts and studio updates. I hope you enjoy these dropping into your inbox!

Until next time……..as ever I thank you for your continued support.