Heather Ellis

I am predominantly interested in themes of landscape, memory, and movement. My practice reflects a sensitivity to nature’s fleeting rhythms, expressed through flowing marks and subtle tonal shifts. Whether depicting sweeping coastal vistas, the intricate forms of bracket fungi, or liquid flowing from a china jug I hope that my prints invite you to pause and reconnect and wonder.

As an artist printmaker my current practice involves experimenting predominantly with drypoint etching and monoprint, allowing me a freedom of expression and mark making thereby creating a more unpredictable dynamic and atmosphere. There can be an ambiguity in my mark making suggesting movement and flowing water or layers of strata and geology; the weight of the monumental with the fleeting nature of the fluid. My work is definitely not static. I hope to have created an image with a bit of mystery and something to cause the viewer to question what is happening. The theme of memory is explored through a collection of vintage china; returning to an old dresser full of jugs, pots and plates for inspiration. I inherited pieces from my parents and grandparents so context and personal connections are central to this work. My choice of working on Tetrapak for this series supports a move towards a more sustainable print practice. Although Tetrapak has a more limited life I can still print an edition of 10 before it starts to wear out. The fact that it has been recycled and repurposed adds to its importance.

My plates are usually repurposed acetate although I sometimes work on Drypoint plastic. I have worked on copper, zinc and steel plates in the past but am moving away from using a chemical etching process. This approach fits in nicely with the chemical free ethos in the Digswell Print Room.