Louise Stebbing

Biography

I have been mesmerised by printmaking techniques since attending an Art Foundation Course in Cambridge taught by Walter Hoyle. I draw inspiration from my environment using the inherent qualities of printmaking techniques to capture the essence of my subjects. It is the processes of printmaking that I love, printmaking requires a lot of patience with elements of risk and surprise. I have used a variety of printmaking techniques but recently my preferred printmaking medium is linocuts. Lino printing captivates me because of being able to use vibrant colour and the variety of bold expressive cuts that can be made with the gouges. My images usually start with a sketch, often whilst out cycling in the local landscape. I might pass the same scene several times before being attracted to it by the way the light may be affecting the landscape or maybe just that my own mood is different. Back in my studio I like the print to evolve as I create it - not working out too much detail in advance. But using my experience to let the image develop on the lino block and to keep the energy of the image flowing in the direction it happens to take me at that particular time. I believe that an original print should not be a reproduction of something else but should express the textures and qualities characteristic in the method used. I usually use the reduction method of lino printing - so using one block to print the different layers of colour - printing one colour, cutting more of the lino and overprinting the next colour. I can spent more than a day just cutting one stage of the lino, the inking of the block is a must quicker process depending on the size.