Category: Printmaking

Avro Vulcan etching

‘Avro Vulcan’

I’ve been recently working on a small edition of ten prints for the International Print Exchange.

My etching aquatint print for this year’s exchange depicts the Avro Vulcan nuclear bomber which was assembled in Stockport and in service during the Cold War. I posted the edition this afternoon by special delivery as there’s a bank holiday this weekend so I didn’t want to miss the deadline.

Fingers crossed 🤞

Eco Image Transfer mini prints

I’ve been working on a small series of Eco Image Transfer prints recently using Fabriano printing paper. I am using black & white and colour laser prints.

St. Mary’s Parish Church

The size of the prints are roughly smaller than A6 (10.5 x 14.85 cm). One of my prints was experimental and consisted of trying to combine eco image technique and linocut. The layer of Lino print didn’t really allow the toner from the transfer to adhere to the paper and caused the transfer to apply a blotted effect. The toner has tried to absorb into the paper but the oil based ink seems to have blocked the print from fixing. I found smaller detail like the aeroplane seem to work but the church building was more like a murky blob. Interesting results, may try out a few more.

Eco Image combined with Lino printed background

Below is a gallery of prints I’ve been working on this month.

Eco Image prints laid out together
Memorial at the entrance to Woodbank park
Woodbank Hall
Boars Head Hotel Pub
Bakers Vault pub
St Mary’s Parish church
St George’s church
Make shift fencing, Portwood
Riley’s pool hall building detail
Stockport Exchange taken from a etching print

In summary, I observed that the Eco Image Transfer print method works best for small sized print formats and that black and white toner works best.

The Friends’ Christmas Fair at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum

The Friends’ Christmas Fair at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum.

Over 40 Stalls Selling Crafts and Gifts

Haslingden & Helmshore Brass Band

Tombola

Name the Elf

Princess Characters

Children’s Choir

Father Christmas

Food and Drink

Vintage Bus Doing Local Pick Ups

Saturday 29 November 10.30am-4pm

Entry £5 Adults Under 18s Free

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Holcombe Road, Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 4NP

Telephone Number 01706 226459

Centenary of the War Memorial Art Gallery

Last month, I was invited to a preview of a new exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery to celebrate 100 years of the building.

The building is unique in the UK in that it is a war memorial honouring the fallen from previous world wars and also a public space to display artworks both amateur and professional alike.

During the evening. a number of speeches were given, one was by my artist friend Peter Davis MAFA CBPP who is a former archivist of Stockport Art Guild. Peter spoke about the strong relationship between the Art Gallery and the Art Guild.

Me at the exhibition preview of ‘Beautiful Things’

Incidentally, over 10 years ago, before I began this project, I created an etching print of the war memorial art gallery.

‘Stockport Art Gallery’ (Etching Aquatint)

The current exhibition at the gallery is a celebration of the building’s history and role in the local community.

Beautiful Things exhibition

Local children have contributed a colourful creative display of artwork in the exhibition. There is also a good selection of prints on display including some well known artists such as painter and graphic designer Patrick Caulfield

Workshop announcement

I will be hosting a 2 hour Eco Image Transfer workshop on Sunday 17th August between 1pm to 3pm at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery.

Participants will learn how to create rich layered collages that blend hand drawn and photographic elements, all while using environmentally friendly materials. Perfect for creatives looking to add a vintage, grainy or zine-inspired aesthetic to their work.

To book a free place, please contact the Art Gallery on 0161 474 4453 or email: [email protected]

Centenary Open Exhibition

I visited the Centenary Open Exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery this afternoon with a friend to see my etching print depicting the Produce Hall. In this fantastic exhibition.

The exhibition is worth a visit if you’re in Stockport or nearby.

https://www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/exhibitions-stockport-art-gallery

@stockportinprint

Photo of me with my print

Pear Mill print

“Pear Mill tower”

Last weekend, I was working on my etching print of the tower at Pear Mill. The roof of the tower at Pear Mill is in the shape of a pear. I like the shape of the tower and all the patterns in the brick work. I will continue to work on the print a bit more next month.

I visited my local library the other day and discovered an interesting book written by Steve Cliffe about Stockport

“Stockport History and Guide by Steve Cliffe

The book is a fascinating read and charts the early settlement of was known as ‘Stokeport’ around 1066 up to present day.

Recently I submitted one of my etching aquatints in the Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Centenary Open Exhibition 2025. I chose the print I created of the Produce Hall.

“Produce Hall” Etching Aquatint

I also heard that there is to be a new exhibition planned for the autumn organised by Stockport Art Guild in Didsbury.