ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
ARTIST PROFILE :
CLARE DALES
SUSSEX-BASED PRINTMAKER , CLARE DALES , IS FULL OF SURPRISES . WE SPOKE TO HER ABOUT HER LIFE , HER WORK , AND HER NEW BOOK , EASTBOURNE AN ALPHABET .
How would you describe your art ? What is it that you do ? I ’ m a printmaker . I work mostly in lino , but I also love screen print , mono print and drypoint etching . I really enjoy the different effects each gives and it gets really interesting when these are layered up . In my book , Eastbourne An Alphabet , for example , I have layered different techniques as well as drawings under the linoprints . Undertaking a project such as my book pushed me to create 26 individual prints , which also held together as a collection and I had to consider so many elements : the balance of colour and black and white images ; the block , or background colours ; and of course the size ! The original prints are the same size as those in the book , and make lovely artworks on their own .
To create a linoprint , I first have to consider the design , and then abstract the forms so they can create a pleasing design . This is a process which may formulate in my mind over the course of a year in some cases . I then start to sketch directly onto the lino . The sketch has to be done back to front and is then cut out using specialist knives . The next process is to place paper on the block , and either pass it through a press , or use a tool called a barren to lift off a layer of ink . The ink , the amount of pressure , and the kind of paper all make huge differences to the final effect and it ’ s fun to experiment with these . The very last thing to do is to peel the paper off the block and see the result of hours and weeks of work . It ’ s either a sigh of relief … or of disappointment if it hasn ’ t gone to plan !
What is your background ? My first degree was in archaeology , and I went back to university to read architecture some years later having spent many years working with heritage buildings . I got to work in some fantastic parts of the world . One of my favourite projects was working on a Moorish palace high in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria , but all that travel makes one realise just how special England is . We have such a diversity of architecture and landscape , which has been shaped over the millennia . I started printmaking at a one-day course over 15 years ago and haven ’ t looked back since . I was really lucky while studying architecture that the technicians were all artists and sculptors in their own right , which enabled me to experiment and really helped my practice .
What is the most difficult piece of work you ’ ve ever undertaken ? The most challenging has to be Eastbourne An Alphabet , but in a good way ! I find I sometimes produce my best work when there is a tight brief . The alphabet made me consider the practicalities of book production and I found out some really surprising things about Eastbourne .
What has been your proudest artistic achievement to date ? I think the proudest moment was the first time I had a piece hung in an exhibition . It was 11 years ago in Lewes . I was among some awesome artists and I did think to myself : “ What am I doing here ?” But , the exhibition went well , and the print sold . It was a print of the independent bookshop , ‘ Bags of Books ’ in Lewes and it still hangs in their shop .
Where can we see your work ? My prints sell in galleries along the south coast , as well as in Alfriston Arts , and I also take part in the Artwave Festival over the August bank holiday . This year , I ’ m at Isfield Fair and the Artists Open Houses in Eastbourne during November . Look at my Facebook page (/ claredalesart ) for the details . The book is available from independent bookshops , Towner Art Gallery , Waterstones and online at Amazon . I also have an Etsy store .
www . claredales . com
/ claredalesart www . etsy . com / shop / ClareDalesCreative
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