Melanie Gairns Printmaker

2011-11-09T08:23:00.000Z

I have had a print selected for the Printmakers Council exhibition at The Highgate Literary and Scientific Institute, London N6 6BS, which is really exciting. The private view is on the 18th November and the exhibition continues until 1st December. All work is for sale!

2011-11-09T08:13:00.001Z

The last print I posted has been selected for the Printmakers Council 'Mini Print' exhibition. The 8th British International Mini Print Exhibition follows on from the 7th Exhibition which toured the UK for 2 years.

Tour Dates and Venues Confirmed so far for the 8th British International Mini Print Exhibition

6th April to 16th June 2012:
London Print Studio. Opening Show

4th August to 23rd September 2012:
Aberystwyth Arts Centre

20th October to 18th November 2012:
Ropewalk Gallery, Barton on Humber

24th November 2012 to 20th January 2013:
Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries

25th July to 6th October 2013:
Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum

5th November 2013 to 21st December 2013:
Mascalls Gallery, Paddock Wood, Kent

2011-10-09T12:51:00.000+01:00

Here are two of my latest prints. They are the smallest prints I have made measuring 10 x 7cms. They are two-colour silkscreen prints.

2011-08-23T17:54:00.000+01:00

I posted a couple of my black and white lino prints on 12th August and now I have silkscreened coloured shapes over the top to lift the print from the paper and add interest to the composition. Colour is new territory for me as I spent most of my MA and residency working with tones of grey and off-whites. I was so seduced by mark-making and composition that adding colour became an added complication; a distraction away from the subtleties and qualities of a mark and it's edges. However, the boldness and crisp black marks of the lino prints shouted for colour.

2011-08-23T17:13:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I sold this print following an enquiry after the PMC's Vyner Street Gallery exhibition. I made this print, 'Emotion I, Series I' in 2009, it was exhibited locally and selected for Originals '10 at the Mall Galleries last spring. It feels like an old friend and I'm pleased it has gone to a good home!

2011-08-23T11:30:00.000+01:00

Click here to go to my husband's blog where you will find the prints he submitted to the Design & Print Now!' exhibition.

2011-08-16T21:19:00.000+01:00

On 28th July, I went to the SW1 Gallery in Victoria to the private view of 'Print & Design Now 2011' an exhibition organised in association with Bearspace (www.bearspace.co.uk). Approximately 200 prints were selected and presented unframed and there was varied mix of printmaking, drawing, graphics, digital media and some sculpture.

My husband had two prints selected and these can be viewed along with the other prints on the Bearspace website.

The exhibition is on until the 23rd August and then it travels around the country for the next 4 months. This was the first exhibition I have been to where all the work has been unframed. It made the atmosphere at the private view less formal as the work was not displayed in such a regimented way and the work was affordable. I also think the exhibition attracted submissions from younger artists and students because framing was not required as this can often be a great expense.

2011-08-15T20:26:00.001+01:00

Link to the Ochre Print Studio website

2011-08-15T20:06:00.001+01:00

Fur, Feathers, Fingers and Fins is the title of an exhibition by the Lockwood Print Group in association with artists from Ochre Print Studio and is at the Lewis Elton Gallery at the University of Surrey. The adults with learning difficulties who produced the work were at the private view on 25th July and were joined by the Mayor, staff from the Lockwood Day Centre and many members of OPS.

The exhibition is full of colour and humour. The work is diverse, sensitively presented and truly showcases the time and effort that has been put into this successful partnership.

2011-08-15T09:28:00.001+01:00

On 4th July, I delivered one of my prints to the Vyner Street Gallery (www.vynerstreetgallery.co.uk) in Bethnal Green to participate in an exhibition organised by the Printmakers Council (www.printmakerscouncil.com). The gallery is situated within London's contemporary art district and the private views on the first Thursday of every month attract a large number of visitors.

I submitted 'Emotion I, Series I', which is the print that was selected for 'Originals 10' at the Mall Galleries last Spring. Altogether there were about 40 prints in the exhibition showcasing various printmaking techniques. I was particularly interested in the work submitted by Margaret Ashman. (www.margaretashman.com).

This was the first exhibition I have taken part in with the PMC and I would definitely exhibit with them again.

2011-08-13T19:10:00.001+01:00

An image from the series titled: Emotional Stepping Stones

Ochre Print Studio Flyer for the Surrey Artists Open Studios, designed by Geff Newland

Members of Ochre Print Studio took part in the Surrey Artists Open Studios event held at the Lockwood Day Centre in Guildford. Unfortunately, this year I was unable to contribute to the opening event on 18th June, but I know a lot of members worked hard to make it a successful day with a monoprint taster workshop, live music, prizes awarded to prints by several specialist businesses and organisations including: The Printmakers Council (www.printmakerscouncil.com), John Purcell (www.johnpurcell.net) and Intaglio Printmaker (www.intaglioprintmaker.co.uk), a raffle of donated prints and of course, an exhibition of skilful and imaginative work by Ochre members and guest exhibitors such as Simon Lawson (www.simonlawsonprints.com) and Hughie O'Donoghue who will be visiting Ochre in October to give a talk about his work.

Over the two weekends the exhibition was open, Ochre had a healthy number of visitors and sales of work, which was really encouraging and rewarding for all those who took part. I submitted a series of six prints presented in two frames with three prints displayed vertically in each frame. Here is one of the prints in the series.

2011-08-12T18:03:00.001+01:00

Who's Pulling My Chain?, monotype, collage, intaglio and drawing, Ron Pokrasso

Firenzied Motif, Monotype and Collage, Ron Pokrasso

Joanne McCarthy, Gallery Director of the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham (www.newashgate.org.uk) selected four of my prints for an exhibition of work by Ochre Print Studio members. The work was displayed in the Balcony room from 10th June to 9th July. Despite four pieces being selected, only two made it on to the walls, but I was very pleased with that and was hung between Richenda Court and Tessa Pearson, which was an honor. (www.richendacourt.co.uk, www.tessapearson.com)

The private view was a stylish affair with lots of guests and the exhibition was officially opened by the American artist Ron Pokrasso who was about to embark on a an intensive week of teaching at Ochre.

Ron had been recommended to Julie and Annee at Ochre by Barbara Rae following her talk at the studio last summer. Ron currently owns Timberwick Studios, a multi-functional studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is an exhibiting artist mainly working with monotype, collage and assemblage. His week-long course was inspirational for the printmakers that took part and although I wasn't one of them, I did manage to pick up a few practical gems of knowledge and practice on the two occasions I went in to the studio during that week. (www.ronpokrasso.com).

2011-08-12T16:12:00.001+01:00

Chiasmus: Elemental Series, Water

Fleetingly Beached, 1st state, 1/1

Line Print

On 14th May, Dr Bren Unwin came to Ochre Print Studio to talk about how her work investigates the relationship between a person and their environment. Materials, actions and ideas were thoroughly explored.

In 2008, Bren was awarded a PhD by the University of Hertfordshire. Her thesis was titled: Phenomenology and Landscape Experience: A Critical Appraisal for Contemporary Art Practice. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is held in both private and public art collections.

I was thoroughly engaged with the images of her work and admired her experience and journey through making each piece. (www.brenunwin.com)

2011-08-12T15:49:00.001+01:00

Here are a couple of small lino prints I am working on entitled 'Contrasts'. These have come out of a course I did with Richenda Court (www.richendacourt.co.uk). Working with lino is very different from the silkscreen process; you have to commit to the marks as any mistake will show on a final print. I intend to lay colour over these images, but at the moment I am just exploring the marks each grade of tool makes and experimenting with my theme of cut and torn edges, contrasts, composition and subtleties.

2011-08-12T15:15:00.000+01:00

The Lightbox Gallery and Museum in Woking (www.thelightbox.org) invited Ochre Print studio to exhibit a small selection of work in the cafe area to run in conjunction with an exhibition in the Upper Gallery of prints collected by Chris Ingram; the owner of Woking Football Club.

Also in conjunction with The Lightbox, Ochre organised a talk on the 9th of March by Professor Paul Coldwell who has recently had a book published by Back Dog entitled: 'Printmaking: A Contemporary Perspective' (www.paulcoldwell.org). The talk was a great success and very interesting for artists wanting an introduction to printmaking in all it's many forms as well as an understanding of the developments in digital technologies and the work of celebrated artists such as Banksy, Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, Howard Hodgkin and Anselm Kiefer.

2011-08-12T15:03:00.000+01:00

Between December 2010 and March 2011, I was assisting Guildford Arts in co-ordinating an exhibition of work by Ochre Print Studio members at Clyde & Co, a law firm in Guildford as part of their 'art at work' program. Each member was able to exhibit up to four pieces and attend a private view on the 2nd March with many members of staff and other Ochre members.

2011-08-12T14:47:00.000+01:00

I haven't posted anything since last summer, but a lot has happened and I have now compiled all the highlights to post now. It has been really interesting for me to look back and remind myself of what I have achieved and the group exhibitions I have been involved in.

My residency at Ochre Print Studio ended last August and following discussions with Julie (OPS director) I am now running open access sessions for members one afternoon a week and carrying out technician duties during that time. In return for this I am able to access the studio to continue my own work, which is an ideal situation for me as I get to meet many more artists and printmakers that are involved and/or support Ochre.

In November 2010, OPS members were invited to exhibit at the Lewis Elton Gallery at the University of Surrey Campus. The private view on the 15th November was very well attended and the work submitted was diverse and skilful.

2010-07-16T16:38:00.000+01:00

My residency is coming to an end shortly and I will miss the luxury of having the studio to myself and the opportunity to experiment.

I wanted to post some photographs of the monoprint workshop that took place on 5th June during the Surrey Artists Open Studios at Ochre. The event was well-recieved by members, visitors and the press. Barbara Rae gave an interesting and insightful talk, and was very generous with her techniques and processes showing the audience original prints and collograph plates. There was live music, food and drink and the exhibition of work from over 40 members and several guest members.

2010-05-18T09:58:00.000+01:00

It has been a while since my last update as I have been involved in co-ordinating Ochre Print Studio's exhibition for the Surrey Artists Open Studios event.

I neglected to post the news that I won the London Printmaking Studio Printmakers Award at Originals 10 in March. The prize includes a number of free sessions in their studio and couldn't have come at a better time as my residency ends in July and I now have opportunity to continue making work.

The Open studio event starts on Saturday 5th June and it will be a very exciting day at Ochre with Barbara Rae RA opening the exhibiton around midday and then visitors can enjoy live music, food and drink, a mono print workshop as well as a raffle, an exhibition of work by guests artists such as Simon Lawson and work exhibited by over 40 members. We hope you can come along and join in.

2010-03-30T10:37:00.000+01:00

This is my page on the Surrey Artists Network

2010-03-24T15:06:00.000Z

It is the Private View for Originals 10 at the Mall Galleries tonight. The exhibition continues until 3rd April. It should be worth a visit.

2010-02-16T10:32:00.000Z

Peter Freeth, Bodies

I have been taking part in the Relief Printing course with Richenda Court at Ochre on a Tuesday Evening. It has been really refreshing to learn some new skills and get instant results, but I have also found it a challenge working with lino because you have to commit to every mark you make, there is no way you can undo a mistake. I have been trying to continue my investigations into subtlety of layering and the quality of edges within this medium, which has pushed me to consider mark-making and composition that I have then been able to feedback into my screen printing. I will post some of the results later.

2010-02-16T10:17:00.000Z

This is the print I have been working on since Christmas. Exposure times are very low, so it has taken me a while to get an image that has balance and contrast. It is larger than previous prints and that has added another challenge.

I have produced several of these prints in three different tones. This image is one of the darker tones.

2010-01-26T10:41:00.000Z

Yey!, I have had a print selected for Originals 10. It is the piece that I uploaded on 20th October and it has already been exhibited at Baker Tilly in Guildford and the SW1 Gallery in London. I'm sure the exhibition will be just as diverse and exciting as it was last year, so I hope to see you there.

2010-01-08T12:25:00.000Z

Originals 10, the Contemporary Printmaking Show at the Mall Galleries near Trafalgar Square. 15th and 16th January 2010 are the receiving days for prints (max 6). Submission is £10 per print unless you are 35 or under and then it is £5. The exhibition runs from 25th March - 3rd April 2010. If you are interested in submitting work, you can find more information at www.mallgalleries.org.uk

2009-11-24T10:45:00.000Z

Ochre Print Studio members have been invited to exhibit work at the SW1 Gallery in London,
www.SW1gallery.co.uk.
This is a similar image of a print I will be submitting. I will post more information on the exhibition when I get it.

2009-11-03T10:58:00.000Z

Photographs from last weekends course at Ochre print Studio with Geff Newland.

2009-10-20T10:54:00.000+01:00

This is the latest piece of work I have had framed and I have submitted it for the exhibition at Baker Tilly.

2009-10-20T10:48:00.000+01:00

Private View invite for Ochre Print Studio's latest exhibition at Baker Tilly in Guildford.
The Private View is on Wednesday 28th November from 6:00 - 8:00pm

2009-09-15T09:22:00.000+01:00

There are six artists from Ochre Print Studio including myself who are exhibiting at Impact 6 in Bristol.

On Tuesday 8th September, Susanna Harris-Hughes, Richard Beard, Handan Sadigoklu and myself delivered the artwork to Spike Island and curated the work in our designated space.

2009-09-15T09:13:00.000+01:00

OPEN IMPACT: UK Print Studios Exhibition

Saturday 12 September – Sunday 20 September 2009
10am-5pm (Sun 20, 10am -4pm)
(Impact Conference 16 – 19 September)
Spike Island, 133 Cumberland Road, Bristol BS1 6UX

2009-08-17T12:37:00.000+01:00

Some of my sketchbook work. Silkscreen prints on newsprint.

2009-08-17T12:09:00.000+01:00

Definitely worth a visit (entry is free).

2009-08-17T11:58:00.000+01:00

On Friday 14th August, I went to the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition. The exhibition has been an annual event since 1769 and each year there is around 10,000 entries.

I particularly enjoyed the rooms packed with prints that were diverse in scale and process. It was really inspiring and I have made a note of several artists that I want to research further. If I find some good images, I'll post them later.

2009-08-17T11:20:00.000+01:00

'Dynamism of a Soccer Player', oil on canvas, 193.2 x 201 cm, Umberto Boccioni

For me, the work of Umberto Boccioni was the most sensitive and astute. His work is dynamic, full of formal contrasts and truely explores the the Furturist's ideal of simultaneity: showing different perspectives of objects, people, and the environment in one composition; everything connected, one aspect affecting another, merging together. This really struck a chord with me as I am producing work that is emotionally responsive and, my environment and the objects I interact with daily are significant and representative of who I am and how I feel....

2009-08-17T10:56:00.000+01:00

Martin, S. (2005), Futurism. Taschen: Bonn

On Monday 10th August, I went to Tate Modern to see the Futurism exhibition. Most of the works on display were paintings and sculptures, but one room held a glass cabinet which contained early printed examples of F.T. Marinetti's manifesto of Futurism first published in 1909 with related books and newspaper articles. For three decades, the Futurist group consisting of many artists from various creative fields worked hard to directly influence peoples lives. Technological and scientific advancements were key to their ideas.

2009-08-13T10:59:00.000+01:00

Inspirational images taken on my holiday in Kefalonia.

2009-07-14T10:07:00.000+01:00

I went with some colleagues to see 'Beyond Bloomsbury' at Somerset House. Having been a textile designer I was really excited about seeing the designs of the Omega Workshops first hand. The Omega workshops was a design co-operative of artists who wanted to inject some fun and colour in to furniture and textiles. They were well ahead of their time and you can see direct influences of Henri Matisse, Kandinsky and Picasso. Although it is a small exhibition, it is well-presented and you can take photographs.

There is also an exhibition of works on paper by Winnifred Gill (1891 - 1981) who was a member of the Omega Worshops containing woodcuts and linocuts with the original carved pieces of lino on display. The exhibition is on until 20th September and is worth a visit if you have a spare 45 mins.

2009-07-14T09:24:00.000+01:00

Photolitho 'Unititled C' 24 x 21 cms

These two prints are among a collection of prints accepted to be displayed and sold by the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham www.newashgate.org.uk. I'm unsure as to how my work will be received by the visiting public because when I took a look around the gallery the majority of the work presented on the walls and in the browsers is figurative. This could be good as my work will stand out, but I just can't be certain until one or more of the prints sell. They haven't been in the gallery a week yet, so I have to be patient!

2009-06-30T10:00:00.000+01:00

'Time Passing', Photolitho and Monoprint, 53 x 74 cms approx

This is the print that I had selected and hung at Originals 09. It was such a vibrant and varied show and the Private View was extremely well-attended. It was so exciting to be mixing with such prestigious and well-respected artists. I would encourage every printmaker to consider entering this show.

Whilst applying to become 'artist in residence' at Ochre Print Studio www.ochreprintstudio.co.uk, I decided to submit work for selection for Originals 09, which is an annual exhibition open to printmakers working in any original printmaking process.
The exhibition is held at the Mall Galleries near Trafalgar Square www.mallgalleries.org.uk.
This was the first time I had entered work for an exhibition outside of my MA course that I completed last August and so the whole selection process was new to me.