‘The Shoals of Herring’ is a large-format linocut homage to the fisher-folk of the East coast, from Aberdeenshire (where I was raised) all the way down to Great Yarmouth, where fishwives and herring girls from the North East of Scotland would arrive in droves each year, following the fleets of herring boats down to work on the fish production lines there. Storytelling traditions are still strong where I grew up, with numerous songs and tales about the exploits of fishermen, whalers and lonesome women scanning the cold north sea for signs of loves lost - I've tried to channel all of this into one intricate lino block filled with hand-carved vignettes, some fantastical and some firmly rooted in the harbours, waves and hardships of the coast.

Linocut illustration. Historically, ‘cunning folk’ were the acceptable face of witchcraft, forerunners of nurses/midwives and regarded as useful for their skills in healing, fortune-telling, locating lost things/people and curse-lifting. One of the services they provided was the identification of malevolent witches (real or imagined...) meaning they weren't necessarily friends to their fellow practitioners of the occult. However, the tides turned and witch mania spread from Scotland to England in the 1600s, at which point they too were swept up by the ever-zealous witch-finders. What goes around comes around...

Characterful figures inspired by the four elements.

Original linocut illustration series.

Characterful figures inspired by the four elements.

Original linocut illustration series.

The sorry tale of a heartbroken circus strongman… Lions! Acrobats! Unrequited love!

Original linocut illustration - part of a circus-themed series.

A lion-tamin’, heart-breakin’ lady.

Original linocut illustration - part of a circus-themed series.

Original linocut illustration - part of a circus-themed series.

Original linocut illustrations; part of a series on Victorian Magic & Music Hall.

A detail-packed linocut illustration inspired by the tales and history of London's ancient Epping Forest: hunting ground of the Tudors, site of WW2 bomb craters and Iron Age burial mounds, home to a mysterious white stag that can never be caught... and don't forget the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin, who was known to hide out amongst the distinctive gnarled, pollarded trees in days gone by.

This print was created as part of composer Ellie Wilson's 2019 stint as artist in residence for Epping Forest - the image is also used on the cover of her specially recorded release "Echoes: Unearthing Stories of the Forest".

Digital illustration, from a hand-drawn sketch (later re-created as a hand-pulled screenprint).

A much-loved fairy story re-told in a distinctive linocut style, complete with beanstalk, grumpy giant and a cheeky, thieving Jack.

A much-loved fairy story re-told in a distinctive linocut style, where the forest becomes the wolf, and Red Riding Hood is always a step away from peril.

The legend of St George and the Dragon, told in a distinctive two-colour linocut.

Original linocut illustration. Look out little pigs! The Big Bad Wolf is going to huff and puff…

The much-loved tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears captured in a Russian doll-style linocut.

Two mothers, three daughters… inspired by family ties, Russian dolls and Celtic/Scandinavian myths of mysterious women who appear from the sea…

A tiny, cheeky dragon with mischief on his mind.

Original linocut illustration.

The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea… Edward Lear’s famous poem turned into a bold, geometric linocut

The whole of a favourite nursery rhyme captured in a simple, circular print.

Linocut illustration inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice in Wonderland.

Handmade linocut illustration inspired by C.S. Lewis’s classic ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’.

Branding / Spot illustration commissioned by printmaking bible ‘Pressing Matters’ Magazine for use on merchandise, advertising materials and social media.

Simple, bold linocut illustration depicting new motherhood.

Original linocut illustration.

A fine-detailed linocut inspired by the historical voyages of the tea clippers: tall tales of sea monsters, mermaids and perilous storms told over a freshly-brewed pot of tea…

Bespoke piece commissioned by a private client, based on the tales of the Welsh Mabinogion. Later re-created as a screenprinted edition.

Dip pen & ink (and later, screenprint, as shown here)

Linocut spot illustration.

Small linocut weather illustrations.

Linocut spot illustration produced for the People’s Mask initiative at the start of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, for use in printed materials and social media promotion (publicising a volunteer-led drive to create and distribute vital masks & PPE to keyworkers).

Seasonal, vintage-inspired linocut illustration for use on Christmas cards.

32cm hand-painted porcelain wall hanging, inspired by the Scottish legend of the Selkie. One of a pair (see the Kelpie).

Porcelain paint on porcelain platter; hand-plaited cord.

32cm hand-painted porcelain wall hanging, inspired by the Scottish legend of the Kelpie. One of a pair (see the Selkie).

Porcelain paint on porcelain platter; hand-plaited cord.

Terracotta tiles inspired by medieval stained glass, painted/drawn freehand with porcelain paint markers.

Crackle-glazed terracotta; porcelain paint.