Orchard – Print Tray (2019)

Original media: Antique wooden print tray. Inks, acrylics, watercolour gouache, pencil, gold leaf and gold thread.

An old printers tray (this one came from the US; extravagant, but I loved the layout).
I love to do these trays. The sections were large enough with this one to tackle each one like a little landscape. I began with large sheets of paper, treated with inks and paints and loose pigments to create an overload of colour and accidental effects. I chose each section to fit; somewhere an ink had bloomed, or pigments had separated. With many of them an image emerged from the paper. I don't usually work this way as I have no idea in advance what each picture is going to be. There are several here inspired by Kay Nielsen, a Danish Illustrator who's work I love and who painted the most beautiful Art Nouveau trees.

Available as a signed limited edition print, hand-finished with gold leaf and gold thread. All prints are mounted and can be posted, unless purchased framed.