Creating new art using old fashioned techniques and recycled materials and equipment.
I like to create bright colourful work often with words and phrases designed to inspire, uplift or just make you laugh!
I started my SCOUSE goods way back in 2011 and they were designed in response to the negative stereotypes myself and fellow Scousers have sadly faced over the years. I am proud of my home city - I don't create prints of other cities vernacular - why would I? Your print will be 100% pure Scouse!
LETTERPRESS printing in the Western world was developed by Guttenberg in 1439 and it was this method - of using moveable type to print books and newspapers and other informative ephemera that remained in use until the 20th Century. The artist composes then locks movable type (individual letters) into the bed of a press, inks it, and presses paper against it to transfer the ink from the type.
With the introduction of computers many Letterpress workshops closed down and sadly a lot of their type and equipment was destroyed. Thankfully, a few remain and many artists are realising the beauty of the process and bringing Letterpress into the 21st Century.
My Letterpress items are printed using vintage printing blocks together with old wooden and lead type on my collection of rescued and refurbished printing presses Ada, Babs, Brian, Ruth, Tom and Farley.
LINOCUT printing uses a block made from a mixture of cork and linseed oil compressed onto a hessian back. It was and still is used as a flooring material. The design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised (relief) areas representing the parts to be printed. The surface is inked with a roller and then impressed onto paper or fabric. The actual printing can be done by hand or with a press.
There are other carving blocks often called ‘Lino’ on the market nowadays but these are made from various plastics and polymers. I prefer the traditional ‘battleship grey’ true Lino which I find gives a better print and is more environmentally friendly.
Thanks for reading - please drop me a line if you would like to know more.
Cheerio for now....
Karen
x
