Taking Part in Landscape Artist of the Year 2026 as a Wildcard

June 30, 2026

I’ve been keeping a secret, but now you know! I was recently asked to take part in Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2026 as a Wildcard Artist at Margam Castle in Wales.

Taking part in Landscape Artist of the Year as a Wildcard Artist at Margam Castle was such an inspiring and rewarding experience that it made me approach my lino printing in a completely different way. As a lino print artist based in Cornwall, I usually work through a slower process of sketching and carving, so creating a lino print within the designated time of a few hours really pushed me out of my comfort zone.

The setting at Margam Castle was breathtaking. The architecture and surrounding landscape offered endless inspiration for linocut ideas. Throughout the day, I found myself observing how the feeling of the landscape changed, and this was a real challenge to encompass in just one print.

Working alongside so many talented artists was a wonderful experience. It was fascinating to see how each artist interpreted the same scene differently. Although my practice is rooted in lino printing, the experience encouraged me to think more freely and spontaneously about future projects. I’m normally quite fixed in my process, and this experience required me to adapt as my lino print developed throughout the day.

As a Wildcard Artist, there was a real sense of excitement and determination. Being part of this experience gave me the opportunity to share my work with a wider audience and speak to fellow art enthusiasts whom I might never have met otherwise. I was also pleased to briefly meet Tai-Shan Schierenberg, Stephen Mangan, and Fearne Cotton. Even under pressure, the process reminded me why I am passionate about landscapes and printmaking. I love creating artwork that shares how I see the world for people to enjoy.

Taking part in Landscape Artist of the Year 2026 at Margam Castle was a confidence-boosting day. I’m not sure if I’ll make the final cut of the episode, but the experience will influence my work as a lino print artist, encouraging me to experiment further and embrace new creative challenges.

I’d like to say a big thank you to my family, who joined me to share in the excitement of the day, put up with my nerves, and encouraged me to do something that I once would have let pass me by.