Posted on

Working on the Winter Series

View of the printing studio of Melissa Birch

My major project this winter has been to develop a series of prints based around images of windswept hedgerows which I recorded last winter. A year has gone by since taking the initial photo shoot but it feels like a good project to return to during the winter months when I am once again struck by the bleakness of the landscape.

Drawing of winter hedgerow in black and white

The naked hedgerows speak to me powerfully of loss, but also the potential for new growth even though we can hardly imagine it possible.

So listening to Radio Four and carving the sinuous network of lines was a good place to be while the lockdown continued in the world outside.

Posted on

Teasel Notebooks

Notebook with hand printed design of teasel seed heads

Delighted to add a new item to my Etsy shop this month which was inspired by a customer who asked after my Teasel design as a notebook. The original design is a two colour reduction lino print so I had to re-carve the block to make it work in monochrome but I’m pleased with the result. I use Caligo printing ink on the which is oil based and dries to a robust, water resistant surface.