For over 20 years Claire Edge has been working as a printmaker, producing collagraph and relief prints. However, recently she has focused her practice on the creation of reduction lino prints featuring nature, animals, flowers, plants, still life, and interiors.
Claire attended Cardiff School of Art & Design and graduated with a BA Honours in Fine Art, specialising in printmaking. After graduating she spent many years working in an arts & crafts shop, whilst continuing with her art practice. Today, Claire works as an Art Technician in a busy High School, and also works in an Arts Centre, all whilst printmaking in her home studio in her spare time.
The inspiration for Claire’s artworks predominantly comes from her surroundings in the South Wales Valleys where she lives. She tells us; “I am surrounded by hills and mountains, with pine trees and reservoirs a short distance from my home. The wildlife here with the Kites, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks are a wonder to see. The many trails and treks with historical churches and waterfalls are breath-taking!” The environment inside her home also informs her prints, with houseplants, cats and everyday items which she sees beauty in often featuring in her designs.
Each of her prints begins with a drawing or painting from life in her sketchbook. “This helps me to plan how many layers to do in each piece, and what sort of colours and tone I will be using,” says the printmaker. Claire then uses traditional lino blocks and Pfeil tools to carve out the image, and favours Cranfield Relief Inks to print with. She comments; “I like to keep things simple, as well as traditional, so I avoid using any computer editing or software when designing and creating my prints. I love the handmade, hand crafted appearance with lino, and try to show this in my work.”
Claire’s studio is home to a large antique etching press which she uses for collagraph and intaglio prints, and also for larger lino blocks. For smaller lino, she uses her A3 hand lever Pooki Press.
Claire will be taking in part in a solo show in January 2024 in Cardiff, and is looking forward to continuing to show her work in galleries around the country in the future.
@missedgeillustration
www.claireedge.com
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