Tulips

  

 

Pictured above: An accumulation of lino blocks on the work table, the makings of an upcoming artist book inspired by the works of May Morris. In the foreground are Lotus and the partially carved Tulips.

The tattoo in Tulips is based on a detail from Tulip, an embroidered sideboard runner designed by May Morris for Morris & Co. in 1890. (Bottom right page view directly below).

Further progress views of Tulips follow:

May Flowers Part 2

Pictured: further development of the lino block for May Flowers, 15 x 11.5 cm. Aside from some tweaking, it’s done. A previous progress view is below and a still earlier view is HERE.

As previously mentioned, the linocut will be part of a future artist book, Illustrated Women. My protagonist’s tattoo is based on a detail from Maids of Honour, a needlework design by May Morris, a larger part of which was the basis for the tattoo design in the 2020 watercolour, Maid of Honour. 

May Flowers

Pictured above and below: Progress views of the lino block for May Flowers, 15 x 11.5 cm.

The tattoo motif is based on a fragment of an embroidery by May Morris, as are several of the works in this suite. 

The block looks rather like it has been coated with Mercurochrome; in fact, it’s a transparent red ink applied over the key drawing so I can see more clearly the areas I’ve cut away. 

The ruled lines in the background won’t be carved exactly as they appear here. Their purpose is to try and keep me on the straight and narrow - literally - when I carve the lines freehand. 

The completed linocut will be part of a forthcoming artist book, Illustrated Women. There will also be a small edition of each work in the series.