Hello my name is Emma, I am 15 years old and I have always loved drawing and being creative. I was in the studio of The Peacock and The Printmaker because I wanted to learn the lifestyle and different aspects of being an artist using this as a way to figure out what it means to be an artist.

What piece are you most proud of selling, and what story does it tell?

I remember selling one of my peacock prints to a lovely man at a local art market. He was looking for something special for his sons who had just moved into his own home. He saw the peacock and loved it. He walked around the market and came back for it. I was overjoyed at how he was pulled back to it among so many beautiful pieces and it was the first print I sold to someone outside of my friends and family group.

Towards the end of 2023, I was working away on a new print and now it’s time to tell you the story of how it came to life.

Tumbling is a celebration of the wild waves of the North Sea. I went to stay in Beadnell and we were greeted with Storm Babet. Some people may see this as a time to hide away and stay cosy but I’m not one of those people. Instead I collected my sketchbook and watercolours and headed out to explore.

Since visiting the Ouseburn Open Studios in 2017, I knew that was where I emanated a studio. Since then, I’ve visited the open studios and scoured every inch of the Ouseburn Valley to see which studios would suit me. As desperate as I was to get a studio, I knew it needed to be the right one.

In Spring 2023, I attended yet another open studios event and found myself in B Box Studios. It was such an inviting space filled with friendly creatives and (it was warm - something my garden studio rarely was).

Straight after that, I contacted The Biscuit Factory Foundation and put my name on the waiting list knowing full well that I couldn’t afford it yet but that studios don’t come up very often.

Six months later, I got an email saying that there were 3 spaces coming up for rent so I went to view them. I cannot express how exciting this was. It was definitely a pinch me moment that made me feel like I was ‘levelling up’ as my coach calls it.

In a world where we seem to expect our shopping to be delivered yesterday, finding good art supplies is getting increasingly difficult. I used to be able to pop into town to Edwin Allen’s in Warrington and get anything I needed. If her didn’t have it in, he knew he could find it at a good price and I totally trusted his expertise. Sadly, these specialist shops seem to be dwindling but there are still a few gems on the high street and a few online too.

Read on to find out my favourites.

On the face of it, art could be considered a pretty wasteful occupation however, I aim to operate low waste systems.

I do this by recycling test prints and misprints into collages and cleaning my tools using vegetable oil rather than harsh chemicals as well as being very careful about the materials that I choose in the first place.

My prints are designed to last - I’m not into fast fashion and wasteful interiors. Find out more…

Lino printmaking is an exciting and unique art form that allows artists to create stunning pieces using a simple yet effective technique. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a beginner in the world of printmaking, mastering lino printmaking requires having the right tools in your arsenal. In this article, we will explore the essential tools every artist needs to become a successful lino printmaker. From carving tools to printing ink, we will cover everything you need to create stunning pieces of art that showcase your creativity and skill. So, whether you are looking to start your lino printmaking journey or you are looking to take your skills to the next level, read on to discover the essential tools that every artist needs to master this exciting art form.

From an early age, I loved to create. Whether it was drawing, sewing collaging or any other media for that matter, I have always been happiest when creating.

One cold October (in 2017 I think), I saw an event listing for the Ouseburn Open Studios. I’d seen it before but been nervous to go along (there was the anxiety that I didn’t realise I had in buckets). It was fun looking around people’s studios and getting to see how they were set up but the real lightbulb moment came when we went Northern Print.

I started creating Lino prints as a hobby on my kitchen in January 2018. I’d been a mum for long enough to realise that I had lost sense of what made me tick and needed to do something for myself.

It’s now April 2023 and I’m 5 years into selling my art (something that just kind of happened) and my style has changed massively over that period of time.

Let me take you through this changes…

It goes without saying that I love printmaking because I have chosen to make it my business. There are so many reasons that I love it though. It helps me to focus or zone out. It helps me to express my creativity. It connects me to others and gives me time for myself too.

Fancy giving printmaking a go but not sure if it’s right for you? Here are 10 reasons to try printmaking.

On one of our daily walks, we spotted some Snowdrops pushing up out of the ground and I decided there and then it had to be florals. Also, when chatting to my Facebook followers, one asked if I could try and new flower every month. YES! I thought. That’s it!

By the time I settled on this, it was already February and my brief research told me that Snowdrops are associated with February so that seemed like a great place to start.

When we had our first flat, all that we could fit in was a short slim line tree from Wilkos. Despite its size, it was perfect for us and it’s still going to this day. It’s the munchkin’s tree (she takes great pride in decorating it) and I use it for all my Christmas lifestyle shoots. So far, it has lasted 13 years and it’s still going strong.

My cards and ornaments are made using high quality @cranfieldcolours metallic inks that give the most glorious glow against the Christmas lights. These inks were chosen because they produce the most beautiful sheen as they catch the light.

Many of us will be glad to see the back of 2020 and will be ready to usher in the new year. As mad as 2020 was, I have had a lot of highlights. My aim for 2020 was to BE BRAVE and I certainly feel like I achieved that.

Art has always been important to me. Even when I stopped making it - I felt a loss.

The short answer to the question is that I love it but it goes deeper than that. After having my daughter, I did what a lot of mums do and made my every moment about her. For the whole of maternity leave, I was Mum and nothing else. Don’t get me wrong - I am incredibly grateful and proud to be Mum. It is one of the most wonderful things I have ever experienced, but that’s one part of me and I didn’t realise that for a while.

I love this time of year. The leaves change colour, the layered clothes keep me cosy and the hot drinks get a bit more spicy.

Anyone that follows me will know that I recently decorated my living room and had Fakemas. Yes! I totally unashamedly put up a Christmas tree and garland, filled the room with dried orange smells and celebrated having my Christmas Range designed. This year I totally have my shit together (only for Christmas ha ha - not my whole life - nobody does).

When I wrote down a goal of being exhibited as a major aim for this year, I genuinely thought I was aiming too high. I wouldn’t describe myself as confident but this year, I told myself, is about being brave. The encouragement from my husband was invaluable as he was the one that got the conversation going but I had to be brave and share my artwork and wait for it to be ‘judged’. Lucky for me, Trevor (the gallery manager at The Aviary) has excellent taste and fell in love with my hibiscus and bee prints in particular.

Buying from the high street is great if you want something cheap and disposable, however, if you want something that much more special then independents is where you need to be. Shopping with a small business comes with that personal touch.

If you like my style but want something bespoke – great! Just get in touch.

In this month’s blog, I’ll be talking you through some of the recent commissions that I have been working on.

Let me start by saying that I hope you are all safe and well. As a part time teacher, I am working modified hours in school but mostly from home. However, as an artists, it is mostly business as usual. Below are a few ideas on how to stay inspired during quarantine.

Without doubt, the print that gets the most comments online and at markets is my baby penguin. He’s very cute and there are some great little details to discover.

Well I thought it was time to make him a companion so I’ve been busy sketching, carving and testing until I get it right. Here are a few process pics to whet your appetite…