Lino Printmaking: A Newcastle Printmaker’s Blog
Visiting My Printmaking Studio: Where Original Linocut Prints Come to Life
When you enter the studio (with brew in hand) you’ll find my ink-stained desk, the drying wall, colourful test prints, sketchbooks and all of my tools mounted on the wall. On one wall I have a bright tropical lima print wallpaper to inject even more colour and house free standing frames. There are finished prints to browse, works in progress and chances to chat about custom pieces. If there’s a piece that you want to see up close then I will have it laid out ready for you to soak up all the texture and detail that you miss on screen.
Discover Original Linocut Prints at The Chantry in Morpeth: A Hidden Gem for Art Lovers
Drawing inspiration from childhood memories, experiences with my daughter and husband and dreams of places to visit in the future, my linocuts are imbued with an enormous sense of nostalgia and hope. Carved from loose designs created in watercolour, my blocks emerge semi instinctively and combine with bold colour palettes to produce impact - pieces that bring joy on every viewing because of the love and passion that goes into every one.
A Commission Full of Heart: Celebrating a First Anniversary Through Art
There’s something incredibly powerful about giving art as a gift. It’s personal, lasting, and made with intention — especially when it’s created just for someone you love.
When it comes to meaningful milestones, few are as symbolic as the first wedding anniversary. Traditionally known as the paper anniversary, it’s a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the first chapter of your life together and to mark it with something thoughtful and lasting. A bespoke lino print — handmade on paper — couldn’t be more fitting.
“I didn’t know what I was looking for. I’ve never had ‘real art’ before – only the occasional print I’ve picked up at markets.
I love your colours. The way you see something and transform it into your own perspective is so beautiful.
How to Price Your Art to it’s Value
Many artists undercharge for their work or price their work well but then give discounts because they don’t believe in the price. What you need is a solid strategy so that you feel confident in asking for the price.
Client Stories from Art Buyers - Finding their ‘Happy Place’
‘We were looking for a piece of art with a nautical theme when we came across Heather’s work.
We were drawn in by her use of bold colours and the unique patterns created by her carving.
Heather is friendly, honest and approachable which all created a great service. ‘
‘Buying from her felt easy and the whole process was transparent.
We’re so happy to have this piece in the hallway - our original ‘Happy Place’ print makes it welcoming‘
Creating ‘Birch Trees in Bluebell Woods’ - an artist’s process
New original, ‘Birch Trees in Bluebell Woods’ is a celebration of that moment when you take a walk and realise that spring has finally arrived. The bluebells have emerged and are stretching out to create a gorgeous carpet of powder blue and the light is streaming in through the trees, bouncing off the silver bark of the birch trees.
What a moment!
Inspired by the wonder of the time of year when the bulbs appear in carpets across woods and gardens are bringing much needed colour to what has felt like the grey of winter. With silver bark gleaming and greens bringing the lushness of the season, it really is a joy.
I want you to be able to sit back and let your eyes wander taking you back to spring whatever the time of year.
5 Easy Social Media Ideas for artists (that work on multiple platforms)
Artists, here’s what’s working well for me on insta…
Over the last few weeks, the following things have been successful in my artists social media…
Showing my face
Movement
Short reels
Close ups
Dreamy slow-mos
ART COLLECTORS’ FAQS - Where do you find inspiration for your lino prints?
It usually starts with a flicker—a flash of colour in a garden I’m passing, the way morning light hits a windowsill, or a half-remembered dream that lingers into breakfast. Inspiration doesn’t often arrive with a grand announcement. For me, it sneaks in gently, asking to be noticed.
Some days, it’s rooted in nature: the curl of a fern, the bold confidence of a sunflower, or the hush of a misty coastline. Other times, it’s a memory—of childhood holidays, days trips, or conversations with a friend. Little moments, half-glimpsed and deeply felt, that quietly ask to be turned into ink and carved into lino.
I’ve learned to trust these sparks. To gather them like treasures. Because behind every print I make, there’s a story—stitched together from colour, curiosity, and the beautiful, ordinary magic of everyday life.
ART COLLECTORS’ FAQS - How much does a bespoke commission cost?
The short answer is that prices vary because it is dependent on the materials and hours of labour that go into each piece. The following guidelines set out how much it costs for these specific sizes with a particular number of layers, however I can offer more tailored information for specific sizing requests.
ART COLLECTORS’ FAQS - How limited are your limited editions?
How limited are editions from The Peacock & The printmaker?
Where a print is identified as limited edition then there were between 2 and 20 made. Every product description tells you how many were printed in the edition. You can see the exact edition number in the bottom left corner of each print.
Art Collectors’ FAQs - Why did you choose Linocut?
There’s something quietly magical about carving into Lino. It’s slow, tactile, and wonderfully imperfect. Every gouge is deliberate, every mark a decision you can't undo—and I love that.
I didn’t set out to become a printmaker. But over time, I realised I was craving something more grounded—something that pulled me out of screens and into my senses. Linocut offered that pause. It invited me to work with my hands again, to make a mess, to celebrate process over perfection.
I chose linocut because it gave me space to slow down, to play with colour and form in a way that felt joyful and honest. There’s a kind of magic in peeling back that first print, not knowing exactly what you’ll get. It’s a little like life—messy, surprising, and full of happy accidents.
Now, each print I create tells a story—of a place, a memory, a dream. It’s a way of capturing joy in layers of ink and paper, and sharing a moment of stillness in a fast-moving world.
What is the difference between and off the shelf print and a bespoke commission?
Your home is more than just a space—it’s a sanctuary, a reflection of your story, your dreams, and the moments that matter most. When choosing art, you might wonder: Should I select a ready-made print, or is a bespoke commission the perfect fit? Let’s explore the difference so you can find the right piece for your haven.
What does limited edition really mean?
Well there are art reproductions and original prints.
Art Reproduction prints are created by scanning or photographing the original and digitally printing it onto paper or canvas. Sometimes these are signed and sometimes they are ‘hand finished’ with gilding or some other applied surface adornment.
Original prints and artworks created using printmaking (not involving a computer). This could be monotype, screen print, lithograph, Lino print (my specialism) or another traditional printmaking form. It involves inks being applied to one surface (the inking plate or block for example) and then transferred to the paper, fabric or other chosen final surface. These prints are usually editioned, meaning that they are numbered. This is usually in the bottom left corner of a print before the name and signature and looks like a fraction.
Tiny Seascapes – Mini Escapes for Stylish, Dreamy Interiors
Imagine coming home after a high-energy day, slipping off your heels, and letting your mind drift to the gentle rhythm of the waves...
Creating Confidence - a printmaking project funded by Arts Council England
This project aimed to make visual arts more accessible to women in deprived areas and enable them to use the creation of artworks to open up conversations about their traumas and healing process. It also aimed to enable to women to develop skills that they can apply to future employment opportunities, such as:
Cooperation
Building trust in relationships
Problem solving
Seeing a project through from inception to completion
Managing time
Pricing products
Sales
Engaging with customers
Presenting their work
Hang Your Art without the stress
There are a few different ways to hang your art but you need to pick the best one for you - your walls and your patience levels.
Command Strips
Hooks
Nails
I take you through easy steps for each.
Transforming Spaces: The Art of Crafting a Feature Wall
If you’re thinking about creating a more exciting space in your home by adding a splash of colour then I’m here to help you.
Find out how I created this feature wall and transformed a dull blank space into an interesting space where my art clients can visualise my originals in their homes.
Creating the ‘Conker Hunt’ Lino Reduction Print
Lino reduction print has become my favourite way to work over the last few years. When I explain it to people, it blows their mind how I can work this backwards process out as I go but it’s that uncertainty that is part of the appeal for me.
With this piece I really wanted to work more instinctively than I have in the past so I only traced off the sky, trunk outlines and bracken.
How (and why) to grow your email list as a Creative Business Owner
Choose a platform - It’s so easy to put together a mailing list now. I started with the free version of Mailchimp and it was a great place to start. They gave me space for up to 2000 subscribers So easy to use and I knew I was GDPR compliant.
There are loads of providers to choose from and I now pay to use Kit because of the automations and audience growth tools. My business is growing and building my email list and email funnels is a massive part of that.
Decide what your subscribers get out of it - Are you sending them inspiration? Discounts? VIP tickets? Think of 3 perks that add value and tell people about it. Remember, a lot of people will associate emails with work so what happy mail are you sending them that makes it worth their while.
Invite people - Whether it's …
How do you determine your USP as an artist or creative business owner?
A lot of creatives struggle with this because the creative community is such a supportive place that we don’t like to compare ourselves to other. What I don’t want you to do here is get into an comparisonitis cycle - this is about YOU and YOUR ART not others. It’s about what makes us uniquely us. It’s as much about us as sole traders and creators as it is about the artwork or service that we provide.