Buying a piece of art is a very personal process. You may have fallen in love with an artist’s style but have something particular in mind that they haven’t shown on their website. That’s where commissions come in!

Commissioning a piece of art (in my case a bespoke Lino print) is a great way to get EXACTLY what you want. It costs a little more but nobody else will have it and you will be able to chat directly with the artist (me - a real human) about what you’re looking for in as much detail as you have nailed down.

here’s how it worked with my client, Raymond…

If you’re planning your wedding and wondering what to put on your wedding gift list then this is the article for you. Many of us already live with our other half before we get married and already have the usual newly wed gifts (the plates, toasters and towels).

What you want is something beautiful to remember the generosity of your guests by. Read on for my top three ideas to achieve this.

Gallery Wall for Newly Weds

Bespoke Commission For a Married Couple

Gift Vouchers to Choose Your Own Art

Working on bespoke commissioned linocuts is a really wonderful part of what I do. Creating something truly unique to someone’s brief results in my clients getting exactly what they want and means that nobody else has anything like it. What could be better?

Step into a world where the beauty of Tynemouth Longsands and Whitley Bay Beach comes alive through art, where wavy lines and seasonal colours converge to create captivating and timeless Lino prints. I am thrilled to introduce my latest collection of limited edition Lino prints, inspired by the ever-changing seasons and the rhythmic patterns of the North Sea.

Anne’s daughter bought her a one to one Lino print workshop for Mother’s Day. When she booked her session via email, she told me that she wanted to print on paper (there is also the option to print on a tote bag). There are a range of themes to choose from, helping you to narrow down what you want to get out of the session.Read more to find out how the session went and what she created.

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.

Children are humans NOT numbers on a spreadsheet and I think that the government have forgotten that - so mistrusting of the professionals who actually know what they’re talking about. The Ofsted culture driven by a government mostly run by people who never worried where there next meal was coming from or how their parents would pay for the school trip renders those who control education so far removed from what children need.

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…

They say a poor tradesman blames his tools but is that really true?

There’s a balance to be struck when aiming to create the highest quality products. It requires a combination of skill, knowledge and the right tools and materials. Even the most skilled of artists will struggle to create their best work with low quality equipment.

I have always been at my happiest when engaging in a creative activity, whether it’s drawing, sewing, journalling or something else. The act of focussing on something I enjoy helps me to process my feelings, take a break from the jobs list and have some time just for me.

While it’s lovely to finish the creative task with a finished piece of something beautiful, I have learned in recent years that enjoying the process is even more important. If I dwell on the getting it finished too much it becomes more like a job, which is often what I need a break from in the first place.

Valentine’s Day can be another one of those times for needlessly spending money on tat, chocolate and things that nobody wants or needs. My husband and I refuse to go out on 14th February because meals cost at least twice as much and are often naff. We’d rather cuddle up with a film and a takeaway.

A piece of art that you have created is so personal so it will mean so much more than anything else you could give them.

Decorating the Christmas tree is when I get fully into the Christmas spirit. There have been years when I’ve felt so drained and fed up with work that my husband had bought the tree early because it totally changes me!

Without fail, I always follow the same pattern when decorating the tree (whether it’s the family tree or the one I dress for my launch photos). They are:

• Level the tree

• Lights

• Ornaments

• Topper

I am so excited to show you my new Christmas range because I know you’re going to love it and it will fit so well with your existing ornaments collection.

It’s clean and luxurious with a combination of white and copper!

There are many different types of printmaking - from the crude potato cuts that children do in their early years to more sophisticated methods such as:

• Monotype

• Linocut

• Etching

• Woodblock

My preferred method that of Linocut, although I occasionally dabble in monotype. I get an enormous amount of pleasure from being a Lino print artist and want to share my experience with you.

Before getting into what a reduction print is, let’s make sure we understand the basic form.

When I take to people about what I do, they either remember having a go at Lino print in school (and more often than not have very fond memories of it), liken it to potato print or stamping (the basic principals are the same but the skill level isn’t) or refer to it as painting. This article is for the latter group.

While there are a few similarities between painting and printmaking, there are some very big differences. I’ll be expanding on some of these differences below as well as answering the question: What is printmaking? And expanding briefly on different types of printmaking.

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.

Soon (end of May 2022) I’ll be releasing my new collection of seascape prints for sale. I’m so excited to get them out into the big wide world so I thought I’d let you in on how the process has developed.

Your environment has a huge impact on your day to day mood. If your home is a mess or falling apart then that has psychological implications. They say ‘tidy space, tidy mind.’ Well I am hopeless with house keeping. I love a good clear out but I have a child and two jobs so yes my house is messy and I’m no Mrs Hinch (I’ve only just learned who she is).

So how do I make my home a feel good space? I add colour.

When buying things for our homes, budget plays a huge part. Prioritising what to spend money on is a fine balancing act and you need to make sure you are getting the most from your hard earned wages.

Artwork may seem like a frivolous investment but actually it could be more important in your home than you think.

My husband and I invested in original artworks before I worked professionally as and artist and i’m glad I did for the following 5 reasons:

• colour

• dopamine

• atmosphere

• durability

• detail