Despite studying art up to degree level it is only as I passed my 50th birthday that I have finally found a little extra time to do more of the things I love! Teaching, four children and life in Christian ministry has meant most of my time was full. However a visit to a NT trust property which coincidentally had an art exhibition featuring lino prints, piqued my interest. It was time to re-discover my love for design, line and colour. Starting with basic tools, basic inks and the benefits of Youtube I have gradually honed my hobby into an activity I genuinely love and from which I get withdrawal symptoms if I don’t do it for a while. There is something about the clean lines as the lino is gouged away, the smell of the ink as it is rollered and then the suspense of the finished article which thrills me every time. Reduction lino printing involves working on the same piece of lino for several different ink runs, a mistake is disastrous and the end product an inevitable surprise.
Living in beautiful countryside has also aided my progress as being based in Bournemouth I am surrounded by sea, sand, flowers, wildlife and the beautiful New Forest. A love for the outdoors and walking means I am constantly struck by beautiful views and potential ideas so no wonder my subject matter reflects this.
What started as a hobby has now developed into the possibility of sharing my work with others as I have been able to sell in Hampshire and Dorset, as well as exhibit as part of an art festival.
H JJ Miller Designs 