Amabile Clarinet Trio: Playing innovative programme at York Late Music concert
HAMLET on a sinking ship, family politics on a calamitous wedding day and artists’ studios opening on two weekends are the headline acts on Charles Hutchinson’s latest bill of arts delights.
Classical concert of the week: York Late Music presents Amabile Clarinet Trio, Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York, April 11, 7.30pm
THE Amabile Clarinet Trio – York clarinettist Lesley Schatzberger, cellist Nicola Tait Baxter and pianist Paul Nicholson – presents an innovative programme featuring two premieres plus Thea Musgrave’s Canta Canta!, patron Nicola LeFanu’s Lullaby and Nocturne, American composer Robert Muczynski’s rarely played Fantasy Trio and the first York performance ofAlexander von Zemlinsky’s Trio in D minor.
The UK premiere of David Lancaster’s Canzone Sospesoand a world premiere from composer David Power will be complemented by a set of Morris newly transcribed by York composer Steve Crowther. Lancaster gives a pre-concert talk at 6.45pm, to be enjoyed with a complimentary glass of wine or juice. Tickets: latemusic.org or on the door.
Lesley Jones and Steve Coates: Teaming up for the last time for Swing When You Sing
Farewell concert of the week: Steve Coates Music Productions present Swing When You Sing, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, April 12, 7.30pm
BEV Jones Music Company and The Jubilee Celebration Singers producer Lesley Jones bids farewell to the York stage after 20 years of mounting shows with Swing When You Sing, presented with Steve Coates Music Productions.
Alan Owens’s 16-piece big band will be joined on stage by singers Ruth McNeil, Annabel van Griethuysen, Hayley Bamford, Johanna Hartley, Adele Barlow, Larry Gibson, Terry Ford, Stephen Wilson, David Hartley and Geoff Walker to perform Rat Pack, Minnie The Moocher, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Under The Sea, Cheek To Cheek, Sway (Latin), Fever, Mr Bojangles, Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black and Sing, Sing, Sing (with Bob Fosse-style dancing). “Varied? Yes! Upbeat? Yes! Emotional? Yes!” says Lesley. Box office: 01904 501935 or josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.
The poster for the launch of Bishy Road Community Choir
Start-up of the week: Bishy Road Community Choir, Stables Yoga Centre, Nunmill Street, York, from April 13
THE Stables Yoga Centre and Rachel Davies are setting up the Bishy Road Community Choir to run on Mondays from 5pm to 5.50pm at £5 a session from April 13. This welcoming, musically accessible group will use song to promote happiness, wellbeing and community. No experience or musical skills are needed; only enthusiasm to try feel-good singing. To book a place, visit stablesyoga.co.uk/timetable.
Wedded bliss amid wedding-day blisters: Darren Barrott’s Marek and Joy Warner’s Sylvia in York Actors Collective’s Till The Stars Come Down
Family politics of the week: York Actors Collective in Till The Stars Come Down, Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, April14 to 18, 7.30pm, Tuesday to Friday; 2pm and 6pm, Saturday
PREMIERED at the National Theatre in 2024 and now receiving its York premiere, Beth Steel’s contemporary British family drama is set on the wedding day of Sylvia and Marek in a South Yorkshire mining town.
Directed by Angie Millard, Till The Stars Come Down explores the tumultuous dynamics of a working-class family in a changing world of economic decline and political shifts as long-held secrets, passions, and tensions surrounding class, immigration, and social change spill over into chaos and tragedy. Box office: tickets.41monkgate.co.uk.
Ralph Davis’s Hamlet in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet, set on a sinking ship, on tour at York Theatre Royal
Titanic anniversary event of the week: Royal Shakespeare Company in Hamlet, York Theatre Royal, April 14 to 18,7pm plus 1.30pm, April 16 and 2pm, April 18
LET director Rupert Goold introduces the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet, starring Ralph Davis, as the tour sets sail for York on the 114th anniversary of the Titanic’s descent to the depths. “Our production is set aboard a ship but one that is soon to founder, going down with all hands,” he says.
“Its inspiration comes from the most famous sinking in history, and just as that icy tragedy came to pass in a little over two and a half hours, our play takes place in real time and for about as long, as much catastrophic thriller as poetic meditation. This production asks what it means to be human and decisive when time is running out.” Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.
Jan Brierton and Henry Normal: Poetic humour at Milton Rooms, Malton
Poetry at the double: Edge Street Live presents Henry Normal and Jan Brierton, Milton Rooms, Malton, April 16, 7.30pm
WRITER, poet, television & film producer and Manchester Poetry Festival founder Henry Normal is joined by Dubliner Jan Brierton for an evening of poetry and humour. Normal, whose credits include co-writing The Mrs Merton Show and the first series of The Royle Family, will be reading from his new book A Quiet Promise.
Brierton riffs on modern life, love and friendships, wellness and ageing, rage and domestic exasperation in her poetic reflections on being a wife, mother, daughter, sister and retired raver, plus plenty of stuff about tea, lipstick and biscuits. Box office: 01653 696240 or themiltonrooms.com.
Aggers & Tuffers: The chatter of cricket and the clatter of wickets at York Barbican
Not just cricket: Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell in An Audience With Aggers & Tuffers, York Barbican, April 16, 7.30pm
TEST Match Special commentator-and-pundit duo Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell take to the road for more cricket chat from beyond the boundary. Former Leicestershire and England fast bowler and three-decade BBC cricket correspondent Aggers teams up anew with record-breaking former England spin bowler and crowd favourite Tuffers, who gives his spin on his maverick playing days and second wind as a media personality on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here, Strictly Come Dancing and A Question Of Sport. Box office update: limited availability at yorkbarbican.co.uk.
Maureen Onwunali: Slam champ spinning words at Say Owt
Slam champ of the week: Say Owt presents Maureen Onwunali, The Crescent, York, April 17, 7.30pm
YORK spoken-word collective Sat Owt’s guest poet for April’s gathering will be Dublin-born Nigerian poet and two-time national slam champion Maureen Onwunali.
Rich with political observations and carefully crafted verse, her work has been featured by musicians, radio shows and organisations, such as the British Film Institute, Penguin, BBC, Roundhouse, Apples and Snakes, Obsidian Foundation and the Poetry Society. Box office: seetickets.com/event/say-owt-slam-featuring-maureen-onwunali/the-crescent/3588134.
Jacqueline James: Demonstrating her hand-woven rug-making in Rosslyn Street, Clifton, at York Open Studios
Art event of the month: York Open Studios, York and beyond, April 18 & 19 and April 25 & 26, 10am to 5pm
ARTISTS and makers involved in York Open Studios are putting the final touches to their workplaces and studios within York and a ten-mile radius of the city, in readiness to welcome visitors across two weekends.
This annual event offers the chance to gain a sneak peek into where the artists work, their methods and inspirations, whether a regular participant or the 27 newcomers, spanning traditional and contemporary painting and print, illustration, drawing, ceramics, mixed media, glass, sculpture, jewellery, textiles and photography. For more information, visit yorkopenstudios.co.uk; access the interactive map at yorkopenstudios.co.uk/map.
Book launch event of the week: Michelle Hughes, Printing Birds and Wildlife in Linocut, The Harriet Room, York Cemetery, York, April 15, 6.30pm
Michelle Hughes at work on a linocut. Picture: Jackson Portraiture
YORK printmaker Michelle Hughes is holding a special evening to celebrate the launch of her book Printing Birds and Wildlife in Linocut and her upcoming tenth anniversary in business.
Published in February, Michelle’s beautifully illustrated book shares how to design, carve and print birds and wildlife using traditional linocut techniques, guiding readers from simple one-colour prints through to more advanced multi-colour methods, including jigsaw, reduction and multi-block printing.
“Whether you are completely new to linocut or already exploring printmaking, the book offers clear step-by-step guidance, practical tips and creative inspiration for capturing birds and wildlife in this rewarding craft,” says Michelle.
She started her creative business on June 1 2016 in the wake of her fourth redundancy. After a 25-year career in design, she decided to take a leap by working for herself.
The cover artwork for Michelle Hughes’s book Printings Birds and Wildlife in Linocut
What began with freelance graphic design and a few linocut prints has grown into a thriving creative practice. Today, Michelle creates limited-edition linocut prints, teaches in-person workshops, runs online courses for students around the world and produces commissions for organisations, including the National Trust.
What to expect at the event:
A short talk about Michelle’s journey to becoming a professional printmaker
Behind-the-scenes insights into how the book was created
The chance to see original prints and lino blocks featured in the book
A Q&A session about linocut printmaking
Book signing
Opportunity to buy signed copies
“Come and celebrate wildlife, printmaking and the joy of carving and printing by hand,” says Michelle, who will be participating in York Open Studios 2026 at Venue 37, in St Swithin’s Walk, Holgate, York, on April 18 & 19 and April 25 & 26, 10am to 5pm.
York landscape artist, printmaker, workshop tutor and now author Michelle Hughes in her garden studio. Picture: Jackson Portraiture
YORK printmaker and workshop tutor Michelle Hughes’ debut art book, Printing Birds And Wildlife In Linocut, is published today by the Crowood Press.
“The slow boat from India must have sped up significantly as my publisher has emailed me to say it’s arrived at the distributors,” says a delighted Michelle, of St Swithin’s Walk, Holgate, York. “It’s all a bit of a surprise that it’s here because there’d been a delay.”
That delay led Michelle to decide to arrange the official launch for Wednesday, April 15 in the Harriet Room at York Cemetery, where doors will open at 6.30pm for the 7pm start.
“It will be by invitation only due to space constraints,” says landscape artist Michelle, who makes limited-edition linocut prints inspired by the Yorkshire coast, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and the Lake District and the wildlife observed from her garden studio.
“Partly because of the date, the launch will have an element of a ten-year celebration too to thank everyone who’s supported and been part of my journey as a printmaker since June 2016, when I launched my business. I’ll probably do a short talk and have examples of the prints and blocks. Plus, of course, I’ll be signing books.”
As of today, Printing Birds And Wildlife In Linocut is available from online retailers and bookshops. Alternatively, to order the book for delivery or to pre-order signed copies to collect from Michelle’s studio, visit: https://www.michellehughesdesign.com/printing-birds-and-wildlife-in-linocut-book.
Michelle Hughes’s book cover artwork for Printing Birds And Wildlife In Linocut
“In August 2023, I was approached by the Crowood Press [independent publishers of specialist books at The Stable Block, Ramsbury, Marlborough] to write a book on making linocut prints,” she says. “It took me 20 months to write, make the linocut prints, photograph each step, edit it, and have friends proof-read it.
“As I went along, I laid it out in line with Crowood’s in-house style and formatted it as I wanted it to appear in the book, to understand how it would visually look to the reader. I’ve poured my heart and soul into it.”
Last May, Michelle handed in her 42,000-word, 660-photograph manuscript and lay-out to the publishers. Several rounds of proof-reading and lay-out by a professional typesetter ensued, and now the 176-page book is not only published at £18.99 but has been selected as one of the top 25 books to have generated the most support for independent bookshops in the past month.
“This beautiful book explains how to capture the joy of nature in the versatility of linocut,” says Michelle. “From a simple idea or sketch, it guides you through the process of planning designs, carving and then successfully printing your work.
“Projects with detailed step-by-step instructions further demonstrate the process with one-colour and jigsaw prints, before advancing to reduction and multi-block prints. All are shown with the most endearing images that capture the enchanting characteristics of our much-loved British birds and wildlife.”
She continues: “With clear instructions, detailed demonstrations and expert tips developed from years of teaching, this book is designed to help you grow with confidence at any stage of your creative journey.
A close-up of Michelle Hughes carving a linocut. Picture: Jackson Portraiture
“Inside the book, you’ll discover 15 newly created linocut prints celebrating British birds and wildlife, alongside a selection of much-loved favourites. Each print is inspired by wildlife which visits my own garden and memorable encounters on countryside walks.”
Michelle grew up making things, sewing, not least crafting, and creating her own clothes, then studied for an ND in Design at Mid-Warwickshire College of Further Education, Leamington Spa, from 1987 to 1989 and an HND in Fashion Design at Southampton Solent University from 1989 to 1991.
After 25 years of designing fashion, textiles and homeware for major high-street brands, a fourth redundancy in 2016 gave her the space to experiment and play with linocut printmaking, becoming a self-taught printmaker.
She now exhibits at open studios and print fairs, works on commissions, including for the National Trust, and has taught more than 1,000 students worldwide through small group workshops in her print studio since July 2017 and online linocut courses since the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021.
“My creative process starts with photographs taken while walking and cycling,” she says. “I then transform landscapes and wildlife into simplified graphic shapes, applying a limited colour palette. I create limited-edition prints using the multi-block linocut method, hand-carving lino blocks for each colour and printing with oil-based inks.”
Michelle will be demonstrating that technique when participating in York Open Studios 2026 at 67, St Swithin’s Walk on April 18 and 19, when 150 artists and makers will be taking part at 107 venues, including 27 new artists in the 24th year of the annual art festival. Full details can be found at https://yorkopenstudios.co.uk/artists-makers/.
Michelle’s book will be on sale at York Open Studios, where once more she will be signing copies.
Michelle Hughes printing a linocut in her St Swithin’s Walk studio
Michelle Hughes: back story
Education
1971: Born in Coventry and grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.
1987-1989: ND in Design at Mid-Warwickshire College of Further Education, Leamington Spa.
1989-1991: HND in Fashion Design at Southampton Solent University.
Fashion, textiles and homeware career
1991: Moved to London.
1991-2003: Fashion and textile design for Gable Clothing Company UK Ltd, H.A. Clothing Company, Principles and Evans (The Arcadia Group), Freemans Plc and River Island.
2003-2005: Regional creative manager for Disney Home Europe.
2005-2006: Career break, volunteering for Rajana Arts and Crafts, Cambodia, and travelling in Southeast Asia.
2006: Moved to York.
2006-2009: Design manager, for Shared Earth, Fair Trade homeware and giftware retailer.
2009-2011: Senior graphic designer for Room for Design.
2011-2016: Design manager for cook and dine range at George Home, Asda Stores Ltd.
Michelle Hughes Design business
Jan 2016: Redundancy for fourth time.
June 2016: Started own business, Michelle Hughes Design.
April 2016: Joined York Printmakers.
Oct 2016: First exhibition at Blossom Street Gallery in York with York Printmakers.
July 2017: Started teaching linocut workshops in garden studio.
April 2018: First exhibited at York Open Studios.
March 2020: Launched e-commerce shop.
July 2020: Launched How To Make A Linocut Print For Beginners online course.
May 2021: Launched How To Make A Multi-block Linocut Print online course.
August 2023: Approached by independent publisher The Crowood Press to write book about how to make linocut prints.
February 24 2026: Publication of first book Printing Birds And Wildlife In Linocut.
Michelle Hughes holding a copy of her newly published book
Michelle Hughes’s creative journey
Growing up: A childhood of making things
“I’VE always loved making things and being creative. My favourite phrase was, and still is, ‘I could make that’. If I don’t know how to, I’ll certainly have a go,” says Michelle.
“Sewing, crafts and baking were my biggest interests. In my early teens, I made soft toys that I would sell to a local gift shop opposite Shakespeare’s birthplace in my home town of Stratford-upon-Avon. I still have the costing and sales book. I kept track of it all! An early entrepreneur in the making!! I went on to make all my own clothes.
“As a child of the 1970s, Tony Hart and Blue Peter greatly influenced my childhood. I loved making a Sindy doll clothes shop, filled with clothes I’d made too. I also liked drawing. I would spend hours sketching Disney characters. Ironically, I ended up working for Disney!”
Studying design and fashion
“MY strongest subjects at school were Maths, sewing, art and the sciences. I didn’t have a particular ‘I want to be something’ growing up. I just knew I liked making things.
“I took a two-year National Diploma in Design, specialising in fashion design in my second year. I excelled at the pattern-cutting and making part of the course and created a wedding dress collection for the end-of-year show.
“I then moved to Southampton to study for a two-year Higher National Diploma in Fashion Design. I graduated in 1991 at the age of 20. I have been lucky enough to be working as a designer ever since.”
Designing for well-known high street brands
“FROM 1991 to 2005, I worked my way up the career ladder in fashion, textile design and homeware. I designed for high-street retailers such as The Arcadia Group, Freeman’s catalogue and Disney. You may own something I’ve designed!”
London calling
“MY tutor recommended me for a junior textile design job in London. I had been hopeless at textile design at college and wasn’t a city girl at all. I did need a job, though. I applied, did the application design project for my second interview and got the job!
“So, at 20, I moved to London. It was a steep learning curve, and I was way out of my comfort zone. Back then, textile design concepts were still painted by hand using gouache paints. Each colour was mixed to the exact Pantone shade of the retailer’s palette. This is where I developed my strong eye for colour. I also learned how to create textile patterns and graphics.
“I worked my way up the career ladder in fashion and textile design, designing for high-street retailers such as Principles and Evans, part of The Arcadia Group, and Freeman’s catalogue.”
A change in direction: Homeware design
“AFTER 15 years in fashion design, I felt the need for change. I’d had enough of fast fashion and wanted to move into designing homeware. That seemed easy, as I had all the transferable skills, but I met a lot of resistance from recruitment agencies.
“I was contacted about a new role being created at Disney Consumer Products. As someone with a broad, adaptable skill base, I fit right in. I went on to set up the Pan European Creative Managers role for Disney Home and Disney Baby.
“My role was to develop the creative direction for Disney characters and films. I worked with the local European teams to create a cohesive look across Europe. Developing ranges on everything from Disney Princess bedding to Winnie the Pooh lunch boxes was great fun.”
In search of more meaning: Travel and designing for Fair Trade
“I’D climbed the career ladder and had a successful career, but something was missing. I longed to do something with more meaning and give something back. I also wanted to travel more as I hadn’t taken a gap year after graduating.
“In 2015, I quit my job to go backpacking around Southeast Asia for a year. I spent four months in Cambodia volunteering for a Fair Trade company in Phnom Penh.
“They had three gift shops and worked with an in-house team of artisan makers, as well as small producers and craftspeople across the country. I worked with them to develop their ranges and help improve their marketing. I loved every minute of it.”
Moving to York: A happy accident
“RETURNING to the UK, I didn’t want to return to city life or return to the rat race in London. At 35, I moved back in with my mum and dad to look for a design job in Fair Trade. It wasn’t easy, as most companies are pretty small.
“Months of cold calling led me to a design vacancy at Shared Earth in York. I came up for an interview and got the job. A few weeks later, I moved up here without a sense of where this new chapter in Yorkshire would take me.
“Shared Earth was one of the UK’s largest fair trade retailers and wholesalers. We developed ranges with more than 30 producers, craftspeople, and artisan makers worldwide.
“I became their had of design, developing homeware and gift ranges. I also created a fresh, cohesive look for Shared Earth’s branding and marketing materials. Communicating how the products were made, by whom, and the difference the purchase made was very important.”
Not everything goes to plan.
“THE recession hit, and many of the senior management roles were made redundant.
“I put a ‘help, I need a job’ post on Facebook, and a few days later, I had an interview for a maternity cover graphic design role at a design agency. I got it. Phew! Not being a formally trained graphic designer, I felt I had a lot to prove, which was another steep learning curve.
“When that ended, I was looking for work again. The design world is very London-centric, so it’s not easy.
“A role emerged at George Home at Asda, designing home accessories and lighting. It wasn’t right in my heart, but I had bills to pay. I remember crying when I got the job. It meant I was back designing in the commercial world again. Don’t get me wrong, it was a brilliant role.
“I became the design manager for the Cook and Dine range. We designed everything from the graphic illustrations on mugs and tableware to all-over prints on tea towels. They hadn’t had a designer on the team before, but I enjoyed the challenge.
“I worked with a team of in-house designers, freelancers, buyers and merchandisers on multiple ranges each year. We developed thousands of products each season.”
Sewing the seeds of change
“THE corporate world was all I’d ever known. I’d already tried to escape the rat race once before but had got sucked back in.
“I couldn’t imagine working in highly stressful head-office environments for the rest of my career. In design manager roles, I had lost sight of hands-on design work. My time was spent on strategic direction, planning what the trends and ranges would look like and overseeing designers or briefing freelancers to make that come to life. Plus, there are lots of meetings and endless emails!
“I’m a great fan of vision boards. I took two days off after ‘Barmoor’, a weekend yoga retreat near Hutton-le-Hole in the North York Moors. I created mood boards showing what I’d achieved, my strengths, and elements that could be part of a future business. I used pictures of things I’d designed or made, brands or products I adored or aspired to and inspirational quotes.
“I create vision boards or mood boards a lot. They’re a good idea because they clarify everything. They cemented what I had done so far and how I view myself. Although I didn’t know what would come next, I was clearer about what was important to me and what I liked. I also knew that my true inner confidence was rock bottom. Only one thing for that was to get help, and that’s what I did.”
Leap of faith: Starting own business in 2016
“MY fourth redundancy in January 2016 was an opportunity to make a significant lifestyle change, be it a scary one.
“Although it was, in part, what I’d been planning, I wasn’t ready; I didn’t have a plan (I’m a big planner). How on earth would I make a living? I hated the thought of working alone, as I loved being part of a team, bouncing ideas and bringing them to life. I’m a worrier, too and dreaded the thought of financial insecurity.
“I was in China on a buying trip when we heard about redundancies. I’d said, ‘If my role is one of them, then that’s it. I’m not working for anyone else ever again’. It had been my fourth redundancy. I’d become more resilient, as you have to be, and proactively found something else each time, but in my heart, I meant what I said.
“So, with one big shove, off I went. This was the beginning of my journey into self-employment. I started my own business in June 2016.”
Following dreams: A tale of two halves
“I INITIALLY set my business up purely as a graphic designer, offering design support to local businesses. That made sense, and in time, I would pay the bills.
“I had no intention of becoming an artist. I’d always seen making crafts or art as a hobby rather than a career choice. Plus, it’s tough to make a living from it. Sadly, we don’t seem to value handmade things and traditional crafts as much as we should.”
First graphic design briefs
“TO build my portfolio for my new business, I offered to refresh Hawthorn’s logo. They said yes in exchange for printmaking inks and tools. Win-win! This led to Hawthorn’s recommending me to Angela at Beetle Bank Farm. I went on to create their branding and marketing materials, using linocut to develop the initial design concepts.”
Time to play creatively: The craft of print
“THE craftsmanship of printmaking appealed. I’m a maker at heart. I love making things by hand and feeling that connection through all my senses. Linocut seemed like the natural choice. It’s also a craft or art form which is easy to get started with at home, with just a few simple tools and materials. Lino cutting at home doesn’t have to be expensive.
“I’d always been a fan of Angie Lewin’s linocuts and woodcut prints, and I’ve always loved mid-century design, whether that’s 1950s’ clothing or salvaging vintage furniture for my home. I love vintage railway posters and Japanese woodblock prints, too. There’s something about their graphic style and colour use.”
Learning to linocut: First linocut print
“IN terms of timelines, I’m going back a bit here. I first tried lino print in July 2013. There was a craft fair at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in York. One of the makers had a ‘have a go’ table. I’d always liked the style of linocut and thought I’d have a go.
“With a full-on design career, there wasn’t much creative time for me outside of work. Apart from a few simple cards and gifts for friends. It wasn’t until I was made redundant in January 2016 that I found the time to play with lino properly.
“I’m entirely self-taught. I’d play and experiment. Some things worked, and others did not, but it was good to be back ‘playing’ with creativity.
“I used soft-cut lino for my early designs as I had basic lino tools. I also used what I’ve coined as ‘the jigsaw method’. Back then, I thought I’d made it up, but it seems a few others had been making prints that way too. My first series of Yorkshire Dales linocut prints was all created this way.”
Finding own style
“SINCE I started my career at 20, I’d always designed for other brands and didn’t have my own personal style. The focus had been on what was right for their brand, customers, style and trends.
“Using basic beginner’s tools, I played with ideas in my cold, dusty garage. I had my Eureka moment when I created my Yorkshire Dales and Teal Sunflowers linocut prints.
“Since then, my style has evolved and refined. I’m known for my use of colour and simple stylised silhouettes, particularly of local Yorkshire landscapes. I often use paths to draw your eye through the picture. I draw on my textile and graphic design experience for my use of colour and composition.”
Inspired by nature: Desire for adventure
“MY work reflects my love of nature and the great outdoors. My desire to rekindle the freedom of travel from my backpacking days in Asia has led me to explore what’s on my doorstep.
“I walk and cycle to gather inspiration. I don’t like to just grab a photo from Google. I need to see, feel and experience the landscape for myself. Observing my surroundings, I capture the colours, shapes and textures of nature, landscapes, wildlife, and building styles on my camera before returning to my studio to sketch ideas that capture the essence of the place.
“On walks, friends often say that they now ‘experience a view through the eyes of Michelle’, which is rather lovely.”
Joining the York Printmakers creative community
“IN April 2016, I joined York Printmakers. I felt like a fraud. I’d dabbled with linocut, but nothing that was any good.
“The group formed in 2015 and was in the process of creating its logo. Not a dry corporate one, but one where each member had created a letter in their style and printmaking technique.
“To begin with, I volunteered to design their logo, incorporating the letters the group’s members had created through various printmaking techniques. I made the linocut letter Y.
“Graphic design and bringing ideas together were something I could do. The group is incredibly friendly and welcoming to printmakers of all levels, but my own self-doubt wasn’t having that.
“Going through redundancy is mentally quite challenging, and no matter how much I’ve told myself not to take it personally, I do, and it knocks my confidence. In many ways, designing the logo gave me a sense of purpose, and I felt that I could offer something useful to the group.”
Exhibiting for the first time
“YORK Printmakers’ support and encouragement spurred me on to create new lino prints. Joining the group’s first exhibition at Blossom Street Gallery in York in October 2016 gave me something to work towards. I was bitten by the bug and asked to exhibit my work there again.”
Living the dream: Garden studio
“LIKE many artists and makers, I started working on my kitchen table. I often used my very cold and dusty garage for printing.
“In March 2017, I converted my dusty, cold garage into a bright, light, warm, inspiring workspace. Back then, I’d lived here for ten years and had always dreamed of making better use of the space.
“Redundancy money allowed me to convert my garage into a light, airy, insulated garden studio. I live in a quiet suburb of York, with a view of Holgate Windmill.
“I love the quality of light, even on the greyest day. I have windows overlooking my garden, so it brings the outdoors in. It’s such a relaxed place to work. Listening to birdsong is quite idyllic.”
Learning new linocut techniques
“IN 2017, I started experimenting with making multicoloured prints using the multi-block technique. Usually, a separate lino block is carved for each colour layer within a linocut print. “It takes a lot of planning to ensure the registration of each lino block line up when printed. I’m very mathematical and enjoyed pattern cutting at fashion college, so I guess I use a lot of those skills. Now, I mainly use the multi-block method to create my linocut prints.”
York Open Studios
“I APPLIED for the 2017 York Open Studios but sadly wasn’t accepted. I applied the following year and was accepted, taking part in my first event in April 2018. I’ve applied and taken part each year since then, as well as hosting my own open studio events. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet people and share how I create my linocut prints.”
Sharing a passion through linocut workshops and online courses
“I WANTED to inspire others to make more time in their lives for a creative hobby, and in July 2017, I started running linocut workshops from my York studio.
“I teach small groups of four, so everyone gets lots of one-to-one attention. I thoroughly enjoy teaching them. The look on people’s faces when they peel back the paper from the lino block for the first time is an absolute joy, even more so when someone has started the day saying they’re not arty or can’t draw.
“Initially, I taught beginners through my introduction to linocut workshops. Participants learn how to use lino tools to create various marks and print them. With my background so strongly rooted in design, I love helping evolve their ideas from a photo or inspiration image into a sketch and a design that works well for lino print.
“I now offer follow-on workshops where participants learn how to make multicoloured linocut prints using either the Jigsaw or Multi-block linocut methods. I have more ideas for different lino print workshops, so watch this space!”
National Trust commission
“IN December 2018, I was contacted by a graphic design agency about creating a series of 12 linocut prints for the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo. These were to be used, and still are, across a range of marketing materials. The curlew linocut print has since been used on gift ranges for the National Trust shop too.”
Adapting during the pandemic: Teaching online
“IN March 2020, the pandemic lockdown meant everything came to a standstill overnight. Events, exhibitions and workshops were cancelled and postponed; graphic design work dried up, and I had to adapt quickly.
“The Design Trust launched an online course called Learn How To Teach Online, which was invaluable. The approach to teaching online in different formats is very different.
“I spent another three months writing, filming and editing my first online course. I had a wealth of experience to draw on from the in-person workshops I’d been teaching.
“In July 2020, I launched my first online linocut course, Beginners’ Guide to Linocut printing, followed by How to Make a Multi-block Linocut Print in May 2021. I continue to teach online, with students joining from all around the world.
“I host monthly Zoom Q&As for my students, and it’s been a joy to help so many people discover the craft of traditional printmaking.”
Adapting during the pandemic: E-commerce online shop
“UNTIL the pandemic, I’d focused on selling my original prints through local art galleries, print fairs and events. With all these being cancelled, I was stuck.
“I built my online shop and, to my surprise, realised that people all over the country wanted to buy my lino prints of Yorkshire.
“Alongside my online shop, I now continue to take part in two main events a year, York Open Studios in April and the York Printmakers Print Fair in September.”
Becoming a full-time professional printmaker
“THE challenges I faced during the pandemic became the silver lining.
“Adapting my business during the pandemic was a success, and I realised I could make a living solely as a professional printmaker.
“As the world returned to normal, I decided to leave graphic design behind and hand over my clients to a friend who’s a graphic designer, so I could focus solely on printmaking.”
Commissions
“IN addition to the National Trust project, I have been privileged to work on a number of commercial commissions. Two of my favourites have been:
“In 2019, Jim Leary commissioned me to create a series of ten linocut print illustrations for his forthcoming book, Footmarks: A Journey Into Our Restless Past.
“In January 2022, I was commissioned by The Chase Creative Consultants to create artwork for The Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability. The illustration is composed of 16 individual linocut prints. Each quadrant of the plate depicts a season in the farming year and the natural cycle of farming.”
Licensing
“AS well as commissions, I license linocut prints for book covers, homeware, interiors and editorial projects.
“It’s quite a privilege to have your art chosen for the front cover of a book and an absolute delight to see it in print!”
Launching first book!
“IN August 2023, I was approached by The Crowood Press to write a book on making linocut prints. I was blown away!
“I’m proud to be launching my first book, Printing Birds and Wildlife in Linocut, on February 24 2026.
“It took me 20 months to write, make the linocut prints, photograph each step, edit it and have friends proofread it. As I went along, I laid it out in line with Crowood’s in-house style and formatted it as I wanted it to appear in the book, to understand how it would visually look to the reader. I’ve poured my heart and soul into it.
“Last May, I handed my 42,000-word, 660-photograph manuscript and layout to my publishers. Since then, it’s undergone several rounds of proofreading and has been laid out by a professional typesetter.
“My book covers all the basics you need to make linocut prints, from planning designs to carving techniques, mixing colours, and printing. Plus registration, jigsaw prints, reduction prints, multi-block linocut prints, stamping with lino blocks and printing on fabric.
“Inside the book, you’ll find 15 newly created linocut prints of birds and wildlife, along with a selection of favourites.”
One final question: What next?
“WITH the successes I’ve had over the last ten years, I often get asked what next. I find that a tricky question. I’ll always have drive and passion to learn more and move things forward, but I love the mountain I’ve climbed over the past ten years, and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved in that time.
“It’s important to me to have a sustainable business, one in which there’s a balance between my work and my personal life. Spending time in nature not only inspires my work, but it’s what brings so much joy and well-being to my life.
“It’s important to me to create new print collections and teach with quality and integrity, inspiring and encouraging others.
“I’d like to create linocut prints of so many places and views. Yorkshire always holds my heart, especially the Yorkshire Dales. I’ve got lots of ideas from inspiration trips to Northumberland and Scotland too.
“I have plans for new workshops and courses up my sleeve, too.
“I just love what I do, just as it is.
“Having said all of that, I’m always open to ideas!”
