It’s been the longest winter, hasn’t it? I feel as though I am well accustomed to the grey Scottish weather, but even I have been at my wits end. Winter is the time where I master hunkering down, with maps and hot chocolate and hopes of adventures. However, by January I had done all that and was left with the creative reserves in need of a boost. Sometimes folk ask me if I ever find Scottish Seascapes restrictive and the honest answer is no. I suppose the thing that helps is that I am passionate about materials and process. I am curious and stay firmly in the seat of learner rather than master (other than the aforementioned hunkering down). The same scene can be captured in a variety of materials and each lends itself to giving a particular atmosphere. I have been keen to try printmaking for this reason, to see what it might lend to the creative approach. What can this technique offer that drawing and painting cant?
Aquatint of Eshaness, Shetland
I’ve long admired the work of Kitty Watt and Paula Rego. Did I think that after a weekend workshop at Edinburgh Printmakers that I was going to be them? Yes. Of course I did. Fear not, my ego was swiftly humbled within an hour of being in the studio and I found myself completely out of my depth. My head struggled to take in the process of etching as I constantly asked questions, quadruple checking that I was on the right track. None of it felt particularly intuitive to me and trying to ask my brain to have faith and picture something that was not yet in front of me was really tricky. I found it daunting, how precise it all had to be in order to produce you with a plate that would have the desired affect. For this reason, I have shied away from cooking. I’m more of a “throw it all together, what’s the worst that can happen?” kind of person.
After two days of layering and scratching away stuff, donning gloves and masks and glasses and aprons…..we were finally allowed to print. This felt like the fun bit…mostly just due to my high anxiety of messing up in the other stages. I must give a huge thanks to the ever patient Robert and the crew of creatives that endured my doubts and queries across the weekend. Being around other folks with their own ideas and styles was a breath of fresh air. It was so exciting to see the results of everyone in the group and I was left in awe of what was produced.
Aquatint- some colour work.
The anticipation of spinning the wheel round and waiting for what felt like forever, was worth it. I hoped for texture and grainy atmosphere, I wanted oldy worldy vibes and something timeless and unique. Incredibly, that is what came out of the press. My faith was rewarded. Being in the learner seat for a weekend was just what the doctor ordered. An antidote to the winter storms and cancelled ferries. My appreciation for etching has never been higher and I tip my bobble hat to those who have been doing it a lot longer than me. There is real skill and dedication in getting this process right and I am excited to see where this dip of the toe might take me.