Earlier this month, I visited PrintFest in Ulverston. Founded in 2001, the festival brings together top artists/printmakers from around the United Kingdom who showcase and sell their contemporary prints at Coronation Hall (‘The Coro’). Printmakers also share their practices and learn from each other.

I purchased a large etching print while I was there as an early birthday present for my mum.

While at the event, I met up with my artist friend Pete Marsh who was one of the artists exhibiting.

The festival provides visitors the chance to chat with the artists and to attend workshops to learn about the art of printmaking.

A week later, I meet up with Pete at his new artist studio at the Falcon Mill Artist Studios and Gallery (FaMAS) open studios event in Bolton. Pete initially setup the FaMAS studios in 2011. The artist studios have increased in numbers since I last visited. There are now 40 studios at the mill.

I purchase one of Pete’s etchings of a horse rider while I was at the open studio event.

The following weekend, I along with a group of friends visited the Portland Basin museum in Ashton-Under-Lyne. I spotted a Letter press machine in one of the shop recreations inside the museum.

The museum on two floors and is a fascinating and well laid out space. The museum backs onto the Ashton canal and there is a chance to go on a short canal trip.

A few weeks ago, I met with a member of staff from Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery who gave me information on the upcoming Centenary Open Exhibition to be held at the gallery next month in celebration of the war memorial art galleries 100 years. I decided to visit my favourite picture framer to get some of my prints ready for future exhibitions. According to the rules, you can only submit one artwork. 

Last week, the walking group that I am a member of organised an evening walk of 4 miles around Vernon Park and Woodbank Park.

The walk has given me inspiration to produce a series of Eco Image Transfer prints based on these two local parks. Here is a selection of my prints below.

In a few months, I plan to host another Eco Image Transfer workshop at Stockport Art Gallery similar to the recent Art for All Day.

As part of my study of Woodbank Hall, I made a sketch of the buildings exterior.

I hope to combining my sketch with Eco Image Transfer technique.

I recently purchased an a4 Pooki relief press which I will be using at home to produce new Lino prints.

As another month closes, I look forward to the next few months and more printmaking in the works and maybe another photo walk around town perhaps.

Cheers for now.