What do you enjoy about the Screenprinting process?
I love everything about the screenprint process, I love the planning of a new print, the preparation and the printing is the best bit.
What do you find the most challenging part of screenprinting?
I'm sure every printmaker will agree that some days things just seem so hard and everything seems to go wrong. My motto at times like that are to stop and have a cuppa. If after that the trouble persists then call it a day. Working against the grain isn't enjoyable and more importantly it can negatively impact the print.
What draws you to traditional European architecture?
It's the beauty of it. Architecture designed with aesthetics at the forefront, and built with beautiful materials such as stone, lead and hardwood is to be cherished and enjoyed. It's the main reason I left Australia to live in the UK all those years ago, and it still inspires me to this day.
How does drawing outside inform your work?
To be honest I don't like the cold weather so for the most part I don't draw outside and can happily draw from reference material from the comfort of my home studio. If the weather is favourable then I love to draw outside, taking the essence of the subject matter straight into the drawing/ painting. My recent set of prints included a drawing which was drawn on location, from my sketchbook and incorporated into the print, alongside 10-12 other hand generated layers.
Does teaching others inspire your artistic practice?
Occasionally it does when I see people using screenprint in a different way.
How do you decide which of your illustrations would work well as prints?
I work the other way around and design work for prints. I'll have an initial idea in mind or be out and about on the streets and see a subject that inspires me to create a print.
How has your work evolved over time?
I would like to think that my work has become more loose over the years. I have transitioned into painting the past 5 years too so it's feeding into my screenprinting practice more these days.
What’s next for your printmaking practice?
As I venture more and more into painting, I want to bring screenprinting with it, so I'm looking to combine the two more in my practice.
Please check out Kelly's website for more information and to see more examples of her work: https://www.skellydesigns.co.uk/
