Autumnal Inspiration

There's nothing like a warm yet fresh and bright autumn morning to inspire. I've finally set about doing something I've been meaning to do since March!

Start a painting.

I've been putting it off because I just couldn't decide what to paint. I had so many ideas it was hard to choose. I've chosen to go along the lines of abstract natural things. Just to get me back into painting, before I go for anything too realistic. These are some photos I took at the beautiful Ashton Court in Bristol, which never fails to leave me feeling super relaxed and inspired. 

My Workshops - Monoprinting with stencils

If you fancy trying out a printing technique that you can easily do at home, without a press, but with some beautiful textural results, how about coming along to one of my workshops.

I’m currently holding them in The Print Shop, which is in Quakers Friars, in the centre of Bristol. The next one is Wednesday 30^th October and there will be two more in November. Just in time to print all your Christmas cards. The workshop lasts three hours and is a one off session for £25.

For this you get a demonstration and talk by me, the artist, all materials are provided and you will take away a set of five greetings cards. You can make a Christmas design to get you on your way for the fast approaching festive season.

You will be using a craft knife and oil-based inks. So its good to wear clothes you don’t mind getting some paint on…it won’t come out.

It would be great to see you there. If you’re interested send me an email -

sophie@sophie-rae.com

Monoprinting Christmas cards

Three Kings

Reindeer

I’m feeling all Christmassy already and it feels quite warm outside. Feels a bit like my last Christmas in India. (I was somewhere cold in India for Christmas, but not like English cold and rain).

Because I wasn’t in England for Christmas last year I’m extra excited about it this year. I’m going to get fully immersed into the festivities. I’ve kicked it off by doing my Christmas cards already.

Baubles

Christmas Stockings

I’m not completely mad; I did need to get them done to sell in The Print Shop, which opens November 6^th. Come along!

Here they are, £2.50 each, all unique in a slight way, as they were each hand-printed, using my usual methods of rolling ink through stencils that I have cut by hand, from paper. Some designs, such as the Thee Kings have pencil detail in them too. So it’s basically a ridiculously cheap piece of artwork.

Also next post will be about how you can learn these techniques in my workshops. More information to come….

Mixed Media Print

Here’s my latest mixed media print

I wanted to create a sentimental and affordable print. So I went smaller and simpler. Simple things are often the most effective. I was experimenting here with using hand-cut stencils and my usual technique for applying the colours first with my small durathene roller. This way I could still get that slightly translucent textured effect. I then screen printed the line detail over the top.

Each one is different slightly in colour and all done by hand. A print run of 30. 

I'm actually running low on inks, they last so long, but I may need to replenish stocks soon. 

The Print Shop

On 24^th July an empty space in Quakers Friars was turned into a swish, elegant new shop and gallery, called The Print Shop. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be involved. As a pop-up shop it is only open until 24^th December, so you don’t have long to have a look.

To keep it exciting every month a new set of artists are chosen to sell their handmade prints in the shop. There are framed prints, mounted prints, printed sketchbooks and bags, notebooks, cushions, greetings cards and my very own printed t-shirts. Every item in the shop is hand-printed with love by a local Bristol artist, either a member of Drawn in Bristol or Spike Island. 

It’s been a great experience to meet other lovely people from Bristol who share a similar love of the process of printing. Printing in all different sorts of ways, from etching, to screen-printing, lithography, monoprinting, lino cut etc…

I have also been doing workshops in the pop-up shop in the evenings. The workshop, Monoprinting with stencils teaches you the techniques that I use to create my work.

The next workshop is on Wednesday 30^th October and you can book a place by emailing printshopbristol@gmail.com

Its £25 for a three hour one off session. You will see a demonstration and then get to print your own set of greetings cards to take home with you, or send to your friends and family.

It's also definitely worth checking out The Print Shop blog.

Its got some fab interviews with the artists exhibiting in each volume.

And here's a photo of the white bespoke frame that I've had my houseboat framed in. I'm really chuffed with the quality.

Chicken in Headphones

Recently I have been exhibiting and selling my work in The Print Shop, a new pop-up shop in Quakers Friars in Bristol. 

I thought it would be a good opportunity to have a go at screen-printing my first round of t-shirts. 

So I remembered a little drawing I had done a while ago, of a chicken wearing some headphones. It's become apparent that I have a thing for chickens. They have appeared a few times in my work, some times sporting a funky suit or a fascinator. I also love music, and decided my chicken did as well. 

My t-shirts are £15, I've printed some small, medium and large, in a range of colours. White, light blue, charcoal and a darker blue. As a studio member of Drawn in Bristol, I get to use the facilities there. 

The t-shirts will be back on sale in The Print Shop in November, up until Christmas. 

I also exhibited my t-shirts and other work in Art on the Hill last weekend, a lovely arts trail in South Bristol, surrounding the amazing Victoria Park.