Meet our Makers - Liz Jones Studio

I am mainly self taught since A level Art but ensure I keep up my professional development and work practises by attending workshops and working alongside other artists in cooperative working . I initially exhibited pastel, acrylic and gouache paintings but studying, working and family took over for a few years.

During the last six years I have returned to lino printmaking, which I always enjoyed at school, initially as a hobby but has quickly become a full time business.

My work can be separated into two distinct practises;

Limited edition original reduction lino prints which are very detailed and involve printing a number of layers, carving into the block between each layer, of printing to build up an image; and the textile designs which also begin as a linocut but is then is transferred onto a silk screen to be screen printed onto the fabric – whilst still retaining the distinctive hand printed lino cut image.

All of my designs are very much inspired by the nature around me and the details I observe whilst out walking or in the garden. All of the designs start with sketches which I then transfer onto a lino block. I carve the block using tools called gouges a to create a relief design. The parts of the block I carve away remain white and the inked surface of the block produces the image on the paper when pressed – the opposite of drawing or painting!

In the case of the fabrics, as stocked in Hesta Scene, once I’m happy with the design then I make a final print (by hand) which is the image I use to prepare the silk screen. The image can then be hand screen printed onto cotton and linen, by me, to make lampshades, cushions, table lamps and other home ware.

My inspiration comes purely from nature – mainly observed in the local woods and in our garden. The design possibilities provided by nature are infinite - I have hundreds of inspiration photos on my iPad waiting to be made into designs and linocuts – there just aren’t enough hours in the day! Artists I particularly admire are Lisa Hooper, Clarissa Hulse and Daniel Cole.

It’s very difficult to choose a favourite piece as they’re all my favourites for different reasons! I particularly like the blackbird – it was based on a blackbird who was a regular visitor to the garden during lockdown - he looked so lovely amongst the yellow ‘weeds’ in the lawn!

There are two very special moments that stand out for me – being invited to exhibit my reduction linocuts and cushions at Blackwell, the Arts and Craft House, near Windermere – one of my favourite places to visit and such a fantastic example of this period.

Also recently having one of my cushions featured in the June 2022 edition of Country Living.

In the future I hope to expand my range of handprinted items and include screen printed coffee tables and perhaps some small upholstered items of furniture – this will require me to branch out to have my designs digitally printed onto fabric to achieve the volume required.

Thank you to Liz for sharing her creative story with us. We certainly look forward to seeing what come next for Liz.

You can find more about Liz and her work on her website HERE or follow on social media HERE