One thousand years of history...

If you visited me during Marlborough Open Studios in 2023 then you’ll have seen one of my most recent commissions.

‘A Thousand Years of History’ is a bespoke limited edition of linocut prints commissioned by Trowbridge Museum. 

It’s been a fascinating project to work on and I’ve learned so much about Wiltshire’s rich textile history. I spent a day drawing on site, as wells as reading, observing and collecting as much information as I could to transport me back in time. I listened to stories from volunteers, their experiences and learned what they treasured most in the Museum, truly wonderful.

From some initial sketches I started to develop a composition, layout and design. I wanted this to be a true reflection of the threads and weavings that people had created as well as left behind. Working closely with the Museum team, I kept them updated of my progress and before long I started carving!

The most incredible aspect for me was to learn of the use of teasels in the manufacturing process. One of my favourite plants, the fuller’s teasel was actually grown and the seed pods harvested to make a ‘handle’ used to raise the nap of the wool.

Just outside Trowbridge Museum, there is a building called ‘Handle House’ which has bricks missing from one side, purposely created for each seed head to sit in a gap of the wall and dry out before being used to create the handle tool.

This has truly inspired me and my love of seed heads, plants and their profound uses just continues to grow! If this interests you too, check out my Oak Gall Ink workshops this year.

The original linocut prints and greetings cards are now available to purchase online and in-person at Trowbridge Museum's gift shop.

If you’re in the area and are looming about, please do pop in to see how the Museum has been beautifully renovated to tell such an important and vibrant Wiltshire story. 

If you’d like to know more about how to commission me please contact me directly or visit the commission section of my website for more information.

Photo credit: Jo Hounsome Photography