Birds & Words
Click here to learn a little bit about Artist and Designer Jessica Hollywood and her Screen-printing process.
This week I had the pleasure of capturing the lovely Jessica at work in her studio space at Seacourt Print Workshop.
Jessica who goes by the Artist name Birds & Words is a master of many talents including photography and marketing but this week I got a little bit of insight into her screen-printing process.
For someone who isn’t very familiar with the this process I really enjoyed watching Jessica work. Each aspect of it is very intriguing and I loved watching and learning about each element that goes into creating one of her beautiful limited edition prints.
During our shoot I was able to ask Jessica a few questions about her work and how her road to becoming an Artist all began.
Tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an Artist.
Hi, I’m Jessica, an Artist and Printmaker living in Bangor by the Sea, with my daughter Juno. My company Birds and Words was founded in 2012 as an outlet for all of my creative pursuits. Under this umbrella, I undertake many freelance jobs, as well as creating my own original prints. I have been a member of Seacourt Print Workshop since I graduated from collage, and am also Artist in Residence at Wallhangers Gallery and Framing on High Street in Bangor. Printing is in my bones. I was immediately hooked back during early demos at Seacourt as an A Level student, and have practised the art form ever since. There is no better feeling than pulling a print. The element of the unknown and the subtleties in the lay down of ink on paper, are parts of this process that I will never tire of! Printmakers are a complex bunch, but once you know, you know
You mostly work from your studio space at Seacourt Print Workshop, Can you tell me about this space and what happens there?
Seacourt Print Workshop was founded in 1981 by Margaret Arthur and Jean Duncan. They wanted to be able to practice printmaking close to home and starting small, they established a print workshop. To help pay for overheads and purchase equipment they delivered courses to local people, then schools and the membership started to grow. It is an open access printmaking studio with fantastic resources, courses & workshops. It is a lifeline to many artists, and has provided a space to exhibit, learn and create, thanks to the Arts Council N.I. support over the years.
Your prints have a lot of different aspects to them, does your printmaking process take long? Can you tell me a little bit about your making process and what is involved?
Of recent years, I have been increasingly interested in creating work that has a modern, contemporary aesthetic, but using imagery which harks back to a distant era, mainly focused on my home town of Bangor. Primarily interested in the notion of memory and nostalgia, I look to these images for clues of how lives were lived then, in comparison to now. I aim to revive old, nostalgic memories and help to form new, positive ones, closely linked with the regeneration of my home town through other avenues such as Bangor Waterfront Master Plan, and Queens Parade Regeneration. Screen printing is about layers of colour and imagery, printed in succession, to create a complex work of art. Some of my pieces may have 10-12 layers, which equates to a lot of work! You have to enjoy the process, and be interested in the technical side of things. Otherwise you would get quite frustrated! I love to see a piece come together. I use the screen and inks as my tools and the paper I print on like my sketch pad. I find it hard to visualise a piece before I have started printing, but once I start laying down layers of colour and photographic elements, it all naturally comes together.
What advice would you give people wanting to start or learn screenprinting?
Come and take a class with me in Seacourt Print Workshop!
What has motivated you to create this new series of artwork?
I wanted to have a play with some different imagery, and illustrate the revival of sea swimming around Bangor’s coastline. Not that I’m brave enough to tip my toe yet, I enjoy watching the little fluorescent floats bobbing in the water, and wanted to honour the connection of Bangor back with the sea.
Jessica’s new Limited Edition Prints will be released on Thursday 10th December and will be available to view and purchase at the platforms listed below.
You can view Jessica’s work on Instagram @birdsandwords
On her website www.birdsandwords.co.uk
Or locally at Wallhangers Bangor where you can purchase all of her work, expertly framed of course!
Kathryn Callaghan
Starting off my first in the series of Local Artists with the wonderful Kathryn Callaghan.
Starting off my first in the series of Local Artists is the wonderful Kathryn Callaghan. I have known Kathryn’s work for just over 3 years and have always been captivated by her paintings and how she creates them.
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Kathryn’s new art studio just outside Comber. This converted old school house is such a sanctuary and an amazing space. I must say, I am a little jealous of this perfect set up... If I was an Artist it would be my dream!
Kathryn is strongly inspired by her surroundings. She creates beautiful paintings of wildlife and Irish Landscapes and using her unique style, she manages to make every image pop with colour which often leaves you staring in wonder at each unique piece of art.
During my visit to capture Kathryn in her element, I asked her a bit more about her work and how she got started.
Tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an Artist.
I grew up painting and drawing from an early age – it was my favourite pastime. After school, it wasn’t until I was age 31 and on maternity leave with my second child, that I decided to return to study art at college. I was working part time in a product development role and undertook a 3 year Fine Art HND at Belfast Met. It was a fantastic course and I learned so much from the amazing tutors there. After completing the course I continued experimenting with different techniques and developed what has become my signature poured style. I didn’t ever imagine I could ever make a living as an artist; it still surprises me every day.
Can you tell me about your new studio and what you do there?
I absolutely adore my new studio space. It’s such a tranquil and peaceful space to work in, as well as being close to home and set in the beautiful County Down countryside. It has a rich heritage as an old school house and running club house – so I feel very privileged to have been able to renovate it and turn it into an art studio. It’s full of light and is perfect for creating art. I run my entire business from the studio – from making art, meeting clients, and managing my online print sales.
Is there anything that inspires or motivates you to create or try new designs?
My new collection, which is to be launched soon, was inspired by my daily lockdown walks between my home and the studio. The hedges and gardens exploded with colour and life and this lead to the creation of a new collection of florals. In general, everyday beauty inspires me.
What materials do you use to make your work?
I use inks, paints, alcohol and acrylic gels. I love to mix materials and discover how their properties can be changed.
You paint a lot of different subjects from animals to Irish landmarks Do you have a favourite piece that you have created?
My favourite subject matter is birds. I love the energy they have whether in flight or hopping along the patio. However I also truly enjoy painting a wide range of subjects and the challenge that comes with capturing the essence of each one.
And finally where can people purchase your work?
There are a number of galleries that show and sell my work across the UK and Ireland. Locally, this includes The Yard Gallery, Sheldon Galleries, Portstewart Gallery, Gallery 1608 and in klöver. I sell online via my website at www.kathryncallaghan.co.uk and I also welcome clients to my studio for viewings of originals and prints, or to discuss a commission by appointment. The studio is located just outside of Comber.
As well as selling her original art and prints in lots of local galleries, Kathryn also works on commissions. If this is something you are interested in, you can contact her through her website linked above.
Follow Kathryn on Instagram here
Find Kathryn on Facebook here