“Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty”
- John Ruskin
Latest Creations
Little Black Mare
The Little Black Mare Studio is nestled amongst the breath-taking beauty of Wenlock Edge in the Shropshire Hills, inspiring art and printmaking which truly captures the beating heart of nature and the natural world.
Through one-of-a-kind and limited edition hand cut lino prints, collagraphs, and etchings, we’re blessed to bring this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to life and share it onwards.
Away for a short break on the Cumbrian coast. Back to the amazing Shepherds Hut, (almost on the beach), that we stayed in last year, just as fabulous. Unfortunately this time the weather has not been kind,and it has hardly stopped raining. But we still had fun.
The hens made us feel like we were back home!
PRINT REVEAL!
At last, here she is! Test print of my latest print, a Collagraph of a goose. I love geese, and the sound of of them flying overhead fills me with joy!
Really pleased with how this has turned out, the 'inking' process took some mindful hours! There is nothing quite like that first look at a new print as it comes off the press, so exciting. I hope you love it as much as me!
I will have a very limited edition available on my website in the next few weeks.
Happy Solstice!
Out early to watch dawn break, and the most beautiful Solstice sunrise. This year we chose the top of the Shropshire Hills, high up on the Longmynd, a magical and special place. The air was filled with the sound of the skylarks. A truly wonderful way to mark the turning of the Wheel of the year. Thank you to my lovely daughter for sharing this special day.x
#marchmeetthemaker today we talk about 'colour'
For a long time, most of my prints were black and white, an absolute 'classic' for printmaking.
Now lots of blues/greens are appearing too.
One of the nicest things about 'buying from the artist' is that we are open to requests. I am sending 2 prints off to the US today, printed in a colour requested by the buyer, she had to wait over a week for the ink to dry, but has a bespoke order.
Happy Friday people.x
#marchmeetthemaker
Today's prompt is 'favourite process'
Such a hard one!! I guess this is seeing the first print revealed as it comes off my lovely #gunningetchingpress!!!
Lately, i have been concentrating on Lino prints, but I also love etching and Collagraph. Printmaking is an absolute joy! Happy Tuesday to you all.
(Gritting my teeth at the photo of me! But I do look like I am having a lovely time, and I was!)
Happy Ostara, or Spring equinox! Named after Eostre, the goddess of the Spring and new beginnings. She turned a bird into a hare.
We have a new moon in a couple of nights time, so it seemed the perfect time to show you my 'moonlit hare' print, available from my website, link in bio.
Blessings on your new beginnings.
#marchmeetthemaker today we have 'creative space' and....TA DA!!! Here is my studio. Small but perfectly formed. It houses my amazing #gunningetchingpress and my trusty woodburner, so I am toasty in Winter, and the double doors are flung open in Summer, so it almost feels like I am working outside. I 'share' my space with special people (! See last few photos) And the odd hen often pops in! It is not a 'tidy' place, but it is an absolute joy to be in here.
#marchmeetthemaker
Today's words are 'big or small'
I am showing the largest print currently available on my website ( link in bio), and the smallest print that I use for little gift tags when packing prints for sale.
The limited edition blackbird print is 40cm x30cm, on 50cmx71cm beautiful Fabriano paper and my little hare is just 5cm long! I love them both! They are inspired by things that I have seen up on wonderful Wenlock Edge, in the gorgeous Shropshire hills, where I am fortunate to live.
If you would like the print in a different colour? ( green is proving so popular this Spring) then please get in touch, the beauty of buying from the artist/ printmaker/ small business!
Happy Tuesday.
#marchmeetthemaker
Word for today is 'planning' eeek!
No, I am not a planner, never have been, but so admire those amazing souls who are! ( including my gorgeous daughter, how did that happen!)
I thought i would talk about the 'P' word for my latest print today.
I went for a fabulous walk to #ntattinghampark to see the snow drops, WOW! and did a few sketches. In my studio later, I used the sketch to draw a rough outline onto my lino block ( I use Japanese vinyl), then I spent a lot of time (!) Cutting the design by hand into my 'block' Eventually I inked the block, with beautiful oil based ink, using a 'brayer' ( a roller) then I printed a test print on my beautiful #gunningetchingpress , cut a bit more, printed.... when i was happy with the block, i was ready to go! I chose a beautiful Prussian blue for this one, and a gorgeous green. I hope you like it!
( the Eagle eyed amoung you will note that the 2 little blackbirds in my sketch never made it to the print!)
NEW PRINT! New lino-cut print released today and available from my Web site. See link in bio.
Inspired by the last of the snowdrops, keeping the memory of the hope and beauty of these brave little flowers. Printed by hand using archival quality inks, on beautiful paper, a limited edition of 100, each print numbered and signed by me. Available in process green or Prussian blue, with black coming soon.
#marchmeetthemaker today the prompt is 'Learn' and how 'right up my street' is this! I love to Learn, I hope I always will. My passion for printmaking began with a lino-cut card, one day workshop at the fabulous # Westhope college, I absolutely loved it, and by the end of the day I had signed up for a City& Guild years course.
I have also learnt from the wonderful and talented Jenny Gunning, at #ironbridgefinearts, more advanced processes. And of course, every day is yet more learning. It is important to challenge and push oneself., but also to have fun, and I am having just the best time!
#marchmeetthemaker Morning! Today's prompt is 'snippet' I found this quite hard. So I thought I would tell you something about me that you would not know?
I am training to be a bell ringer, in our beautiful and lovely local church. Bellringing is so much harder than I ever had thought. There is a shortage of ringers, and a need for more, to 'ring for the King' at his Coronation in May.
I love the sound of the bells so joyous.
Sound on!!!
#marchmeetthemaker today's prompt is 'all about me' Hi, I am Shelley, I am a printmaker, I studied for my City & Guilds in printmaking in 2018, I was going to be 60, and wanted a challenge! I am a Mother and a Grandma ( such fun) I live in the wonderful Shropshire hills, where I walk my lurchers, Tilly and Lola, and my Shetland pony, Maisie, and gather inspiration for my prints.
It is never too late to start a new adventure! I am having just the best time!
#marchmeetthemaker Hi there!
Today marks the start of this wonderful idea, ( thank you #joannehawker ), and the very first time i have joined in. The prompt for today is 'Brand'
My printmaking business is named after my little rescue Shetland pony, 'little black mare'. Printmaking is such a passion and a joy, and so is Maisie!
So to all you lovely people out there, Maisie and I are so glad to have you follow us, and if you are new, thanks for stopping by.
Happy Betwixmas! Love these days leading up to the New Year celebrations.
Out with my Lurchers for a peaceful walk.
Wenlock Edge looking dull, but still beautiful . Strange to see some trees still in leaf, I guess it was the very hot Summer.
The last picture shows my home, away in the distance! I always love this part of my walk.
More from Orkney! Some of the ancient sites we were able to visit. The ring of Brodgar, an amazing stone circle, 5,000 years old, older than the pyramids and Stonhenge. Scara Brae, the most complete neolithic village in Northern Europe and the highlight for me, Maeshowe, where we were taken inside a burial cairn, complete with Viking graffiti. Amazing places.
#loveorkney #standingstones #magicalplaces
Last chance to request one of my 'sleepy head' lino-cut prints. These are for the wonderful #oneofmanypostcards , an initiative started by the fabulous #johnapedder. If you have not heard of this before? I will send you one of my prints, completely free, in return we ask you to kindly make a donation to a charity of your own choice , in these difficult times an act of kindness, pay it forward will also work.
I will draw 10 names tomorrow ( Monday 4th July) UK only this time.
Good luck! x
My contribution to #oneofmanypostcard
This little badger lino-cut print, inspired by a recent 'meeting' with Mr Brock ( or maybe Mrs?) I am not sure who was most surprised! But what a joyous and special happenstance.
If you would like a print, please comment below, and if necessary I shall draw names on 4th July. I have 10 available, UK only.
#oneofmanypostcards was a fab idea by the very wonderful #johnpedder , if you don't know how it works... I send you a print, at no cost, and you make a donation to a charity of your choice, or if funds are tight, pay it forward in some other way!
Simple! Happy Weekend x