Linocut Postcards from Cornwall

I recently read somewhere that it’s not a great idea to share your plans when it comes to the art world. But never mind, as a Cornwall based lino print artist, I’m going to share mine with you.

After creating a lino print inspired by my recent experience on Landscape Artist of the Year, I wanted to start exploring the Cornish landscape further using the technique of lino printing. This led to the idea for a new series of small lino prints called Postcards from Cornwall ... I think I've since seen someone call an art workshop by the same name. Great creative minds and all that.

The series is inspired by the places and views that make Cornwall so special. Rather than focusing on large landscapes, I want to capture smaller scenes and details that often stay in our memories. Harbours, fishing boats, coastal paths, cottages and beaches will all provide inspiration for these little prints.

Working on a small scale, while at Landscape Artist of the Year, was both enjoyable and challenging. It meant thinking carefully about what to include and what to leave out. Lino printing is perfect for this because it encourages simple shapes, bold lines and strong contrasts. Each design will start as a sketch before being carved into lino by hand and printed individually.

One of the things I love most about lino printing is the handmade nature of the process. No two prints are exactly the same, and each one has its own character. The small postcard format also makes the prints feel like a keepsake, celebrating favourite places around Cornwall.

This collection will hopefully grow, as I have a long list of locations I would like to turn into prints. Some are well-known landmarks, while others are quiet corners that I have discovered while walking along the coast or exploring local villages.

My hope is that these little prints capture something of the beauty and atmosphere of Cornwall. Whether they remind someone of a holiday, a favourite walk or simply a love of the coast, I hope they bring a small piece of Cornwall into their home.

The journey is just beginning, and I am excited to start my first postcard linocut.