Louise Edwards

My work explores the beauty of the natural world through reduction linocut printmaking. Inspired by hedgerows, wildlife, and the changing seasons, I create images that reflect moments of connection — the pause before movement, the glance of an animal, the rhythm of nature observed closely and patiently.

After more than twenty years working as a painter in the pottery industry, craftsmanship and decorative tradition remain central to my practice.
Printmaking allows me to combine this disciplined making with a sense of discovery; each stage of the reduction process is irreversible, requiring both careful planning and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Living and working in a rural environment deeply informs my visual language. I am drawn to subjects that feel familiar yet quietly magical — birds, animals, and plants encountered in everyday rural life — translating them into layered compositions of line, texture, and colour. My aim is not simply to depict nature, but to evoke a feeling: warmth, nostalgia, humour, and recognition.

Hand printing is essential to the work. The physical act of carving and printing creates subtle variations that give each piece its own character, celebrating the human touch in contrast to mass production. Through my prints, I hope to offer viewers a moment of calm and contemplation, inviting them to reconnect with the beauty found in ordinary surroundings.

Winner of the The Chroma Award (2025)