Just as I was telling my daughter that my theme for this newsletter would be Spring, I drove around a corner to see that our hills were covered in snow again. Knowing that I'm desperate for sun, my Scottish friend did warn me that we would have many false Springs before the real thing arrives. I'm afraid she's right, but signs of Spring are starting to appear.
This week I was back at Horatio's Garden and I wish I had taken photos. The daffodils en mass and the delicate little fritillaries (in the photo at the end - I'm so proud to have learned their names) are absolutely beautiful and joyful. The Glasgow Horatio's Garden also has a little glass-enclosed space that looks out onto the garden, where they hold music sessions and art & craft sessions for patients of the spinal unit. It's in this space that I am holding some pop-in block printing sessions this month.
Many pattern designers use the garden as inspiration, so I thought I'd introduce some floral pattern designers and printmakers for our newsletter this month. There are so many floral designers that I could (and might) write more than one newsletter on this theme.
To start off with and because I've developed a habit of finding out what is happening in my local area, I must mention Bluebellgray's florals. Her scattered floral designs are not handprinted, but are handpainted watercolours that are then repeated digitally. While we're on the topics of watercolour pattern, I thought I'd introduce you to my friend, Catherine Jennifer. There's also a printmaker, Cath Stonehouse, who creates lovely floral artwork with small simple rubber stamps, some new Spring block printing blocks and don't miss our little video right at the very end, which will expand your way of thinking about pattern printing.
I hope you feel inspired and enjoy seeing what others are doing in this wonderful field of pattern and print.
If you feel like trying some new blocks or learning to create your own Lino motifs, my upcoming workshops are near the end of the newsletter.
Until next time!
Best Wishes,
Karené
P.S. I am not an affiliate and do not receive any payment for the information in my newsletters. I just like to share what amazing people are doing, while exploring the world of pattern and print.
Handpainted florals with Bluebellgray
And a podcast interview with Fi
When I think of Spring florals, I think of Bluebellgray. Fi Douglas is a Scottish artist, who paints flowers with watercolour and turns her artwork into textile designs. I read that she gets her colour inspiration from the Scottish landscape, which surprised me at first, because I had cliché of Scotland in mind which is quite grey and traditional colouring, but Fi opened my eyes to looking beyond the cliché. In Spring and Summer the tones of Scotland change. From the bright Spring flowers, to the blue-grey clouds of Summer rain, the purply pink fox gloves, the bright green fields and the turquoise waters of the Outer Hebrides - Fi sees all the colour. Her designs range from large bold motifs to delicate florals and in her house renovations she is not afraid of brightly painted walls or furniture to compliment her designs.
A couple of years ago I listened to this podcast interview with Fi. I've heard others since, but I really love the informal chat that she has with The Braw and the Brave and I thought it might be nice your you to have something to listen to, while going about your work. Although it's an old one, it'll give you a lovely authentic feel of who the artist behind Bluebellgray actually is.
Recently Bluebellgray have sadly closed their colourful shop in Glasgow due to an increase in costs, especially rates, but they will continue trading online as they did before. You can read more about that here.
You can follow and see Bluebellgray designs here: @bluebellgray
Or for behind the scenes, with Fi's house renovations and her Scottish inspiration go here: @fi.bluebellgray
The Website is: https://www.bluebellgray.com
Watercolour repeats with Catherine Jennifer
While we're on the topic of watercolour pattern design, I thought that my good artist friend - Catherine Jennifer's method of creating a repeat pattern with florals might fascinate you too!
Catherine and I went to school together and she is now a watercolour artist, living on the outskirts of Oxford. Catherine creates beautiful and intricate watercolour pattern repeats, by manually moving sheets of watercolour around while she paints - making sure that each pattern overlaps perfectly from one sheet to the next in all directions. This method allows her patterns to be repeated infinitely in any direction. It's hard to describe, so if you are interested in pattern repeats, I highly recommend having a look at her instagram, or even taking one of her Skillshare classes that teaches this method. Here is a reel to show you what I'm talking about: @catherinejenniferdesigns
FIND CATHERINE HERE:
I know that at the moment Catherine is preparing for an art show, so her pattern designs are lower in her instagram feed. Scroll down if it's pattern you're looking for. Her patterns are tropical, bright and joyous and definitely worth taking a look at - as are her paintings:
Printing simple motifs with Cath Stonehouse
There is an incredible art to simplifying a picture or design to only the most essential simple shapes. Cath Stonehouse is a master at just that. She carves and prints mainly florals and insects with small and simply carved rubber stamps that she overlaps to create beautiful soft printed tones that have a bit of a retro feel.
On her instagram, she often shows her printing process and how a motif is separated into her stamps. It's wonderful and relaxing to watch. You can have a look at her instagram here: @cath_stonehouse.
A new collaboration brings you new Spring blocks
This year The Indian Block Print Co have collaborated with the Crafty Lass to have a new set of printing blocks designed for Spring! They arrived just after I ordered my Spring range, so I have not tried any of them, but if you're looking for some new floral blocks go and have a look! There are 22 new designs, so plenty to choose from.
WORKSHOP UPDATES
I have simplified the workshop section of my website with a clearer overview and a link to book for each. ( If anything is not working, please let me know and I will speak to my tech team - yes, the tech team is me! ;) )
The workshop on 21 April is fully booked, but there are still spaces available on the other dates. Book soon to avoid disappointment!
Printing Video
This time we're heading to the USA for our little printing reel. Have a look at the pole that she stands on at the end to apply pressure to the block. Amazing that people are still printing paper in this way today!
Adelphi Paper Hangings producer of the fine quality, block-printed wallpapers. Located in New York. To see more go to:
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