Dream Pool (2020) Woodcut by Sarah Ann Mitchell

My print Dream Pool was shown at the Royal Academy of Arts 2021 Summer Exhibition, selected by Yinka Shonibare.

This is my image of a dream pool right now. It’s the memory of a pool. I love swimming and use the local pool three to four times a week in normal times. It’s not just the swim but also the people there who I’ve got to know. I miss it all!

But as a reminder of a special place in my life is this vibrant image on the wall in my studio. The image is adapted from a painting I made a few years ago.

The process I am using is Mokuhanga, Japanese woodblock. I use Shina plywood, and wood cutting knives/chisels to make a series of blocks. For some I also cut shapes using a fret saw. I print these by hand using a baren, a circular disc of bamboo, and watercolour brushed onto the block, printing onto mulberry (kozo) paper. This is usually done in many layers, where colours and textures can be played with. As a result, using this responsive process, the prints are individual, and vary slightly, and are therefore unique.

This print is made from 4 blocks and printed on to Hosho paper.

Materials used:

Shina plywood, hosho paper, watercolour

Details:

• Woodcut on Paper
• From a limited edition of 50
• Size: 24 x 24cm (unframed) / 20 x 20cm (actual image size)
• Signed and numbered on the front
• Style: Illustrative
• Subject: Architecture and cityscapes

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