RH Prints is Ruth Hudson; an experimental printmaker and painter producing bold and graphic reduction prints that reflect both current trends and her own thoughts. Ruth studied Combined Arts at Newcastle University, which comprised of English Literature, Fine Art, and History of Art. In her spare time, she also studied Portraiture at the Chelsea School of Fine Art, all whilst working full time for a publishing house in London.
Ruth discovered printmaking later in life, after having children, finding the printmaking process and its endless possibilities both calming and fascinating. Today, she is a member of the Leicester Print Workshop, which hosts many brilliant printmaking workshops!
Her original linocuts are printed on an 1856 lithograph press in her home studio in Stamford. Ruth tells us; “It is a beautiful D & J Greig Litho press from Edinburgh with the original brass plate. I have converted it to a relief press with a block. It was one of those rare and lucky ebay finds!” Although it is a beautiful piece of machinery, printing linocuts on such a press can be quite hit and miss, and can produce various cold spots. However, with practice, Ruth has learnt where they will be on the print, and rectifies this with a little hand burnishing
“I like to think my works offers a subtle social commentary on life,” says the printmaker. Her prints also exhibit a clear influence from her previous career working in Interior and fashion magazine production. Implementing the reduction method of printmaking, which was favoured by Pablo Picasso who coined the term ‘suicide printing’, Ruth’s artworks demonstrate influences from German Abstract Expressionism and Bauhaus Aesthetics.
“My style is forever evolving, partly due to tastes changing but also due to the physical nature of printmaking,” states Ruth. Earlier this year, a broken wrist stopped her in her tracks and her style was forced to be freer and less intensive. She comments; “I think more monoprints and a simpler lines may appear in the next series I make”.
As well as producing reduction lino prints, Ruth has also created a limited edition range of screen printed t-shirts and sweatshirts based on her original prints. Using eco friendly inks, the designs are printed on to organic ethical cotton.
To subscribe to Ruth’s newsletter and be the first to know about forthcoming events and workshop head to her site: www.rhprints.com
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