Lino cutting - how to get started.

One of the most common questions I get asked is "how did you get started?"

I started printing purely to add to my creative skillset, I already painted and had been creating some murals and artwork over the years. I needed a new creative learning experience.

In 2014 I broke my ankle and was involved in a local archive project around the same time. I offered to do a lino print for the cover of the book documenting the Innellan Village Hall archive.

The image I wanted to create was a 'collage' of images relating to stories/places in the book and created on one sheet of soft-cut (a vinyl cutting surface). It got me through 6 weeks of minimal weight bearing and was completed during a warm summer, with the commonwealth games in Glasgow showing on TV.

The image on the left shows one of the versions of this cover, an ambitious cut for a beginner!

Hot on the heels of the book cover, a local group of artists were forming a plan to start a cohesive group of likeminded creatives. "The Collective" Dunoon was born and a shop space for Christmas was found. I had another reason to create!

In November 2014 on a small brae, just off the main street of Dunoon, we had our beautifully curated space. It was filled with an array of art, ceramics and crafts, staffed by the artists from the Collective. I was back at work (luckily I worked on the same brae!) but took holidays in order to help - it was a really wonderful time and helped to bond the artists in the area, most of whom now exhibit at Cowal Open Studios every September. #cowalopenstudios

So, in short that's how it started for me - a freak camping accident, a book cover and a community of wonderfully creative, nurturing folks.

Creativity is born of adversity, necessity and supportive collaboration!

Next time I'll discuss subject matter. I'll be chatting about what I think makes a good image and how I go about narrowing it down.