Meet the Maker — Jo McChesney

With less than one week to go until the Winter Craft Market, we are excited to announce one of our stall holders, Jo McChesney, an artist printmaker and member of Leicester Society of Artists.  Our Communications & Development Assistant, Heather, had a chat with Jo to find out more.

Hi Jo, can you tell us a bit about you and what you create?

I am an artist printmaker based in Leicestershire, where I work from my studio at home. I specialise in printmaking mostly woodcuts, I have a small press and work in other areas of print too, I also run workshops in printmaking. I have recently started to experiment with a new process called Cyanotype, capturing moments in time with this light sensitive process, as in a photogram.

 

What might people not know your work or how you make it?

For the woodcuts I work mainly from birch plywood. The image is carved into the wood, and then the block is inked with a hand roller and rubbed through by hand. Each print is unique due to the hand burnishing. Wood is a wonderful medium to work with and I think this is my favourite process. I like to make prints from recycled found wood too, that has knots and flaws in the texture

 

 

 

Where do you find inspiration? 

My inspiration comes from seasonal change in the natural world. I look at weather, rain, light and shadow. Much of my work comes from woodlands. I love to draw from nature, from tall stark trees to tiny seeds.

 

 

What advice do you have for others who would like to start making?

Anyone who wants to start making should perhaps try on a small scale first. I always find making cards is a lovely way to begin to experiment and try different ideas, not too daunting or expensive either. There are so many courses to try out different techniques and disciplines.

 

Prints available to browse and purchase on Etsy. Website coming soon.

Come along and have a chat with our makers at the Winter Craft Market on 15 November, 5.30-8.30pm. Ikon Shop stocks a range of items from local makers and designers – shop online for some gift guide inspiration. All profits support Ikon.