Bristol Artists Book Event

The Bristol Artists Book Event (BABE) took place at the end of June at UWE, Spike Island,Bristol. Spike Island is a great creative hub in the centre of city.

It was a fabulous opportunity to meet other creatives and talk to them about their handmade artist books and inspirations.

The event, run over two days, was open to the public and I had many great conversations with visitors and artists about my books, interests and processes.

This is the fourth BABE I have participated in and I look forward to the event every two years. I would like to thank to organisers, Sarah Bodman and Tom Sowdon and their team of assistants for their efforts in pulling to event together, especially in the extreme heat we experienced this year.

I'm already looking forward to the next event!

Wild Bird of the Ink Table at BABE 2026

Heather Prescott

Bookband

Stroud Artist Books

Corinne Welch

Wild Bird of the Ink

Firestone Bay

I have had a vague idea about making book about a place called Firestone Bay for a few years, with initial inspiration coming from Gretchen Peters' song 'Everything Falls Away'. 

There is a bay in Plymouth called Firestone Bay. It has a small shingle beach and a concrete, man-made tidal pool, with beautiful views of Plymouth Sound, Mount Edgcumbe and Drake's Island. It's often a quiet beach and is very popular with sea bathers.

The Firestone Bay area has a system of coastal defences dating from the Tudor era. The name Firestone may refer to the type of stone used to build early fortifications or it may be linked to beacons lit in times of danger.

I spent a short while at the beach and wrote a small piece of prose. Later, I split the prose into two, using every other line, to create two separate verses.

Using my usual method of extracting text, I compiled three more verses from newspaper articles about drowning incidents on beaches in the UK.

Adding to the sombre mood, I created hand printed covers I made using an inked plate and clingfilm. This method created interesting marks, evoking disquieted seas.

'Firestone Bay' is an edition of six A6 books.

'Firestone Bay' 

2026

Cover: Printed on 50gsm Japanese Hosho paper

'Firestone Bay'

Title page: Inkjet printed on Fabriano 120gsm tonal paper

'Firestone Bay'

Inside: Prose I & V by Clare Rogers

Extracted text II, III & IV from

bbc.co.uk articles on 28.10.2015, 14.05.2026 & 15.05.2026

 

trickery

Recently, I had a good sort through my plan chest drawers to collate a series of prints relating to Dartmoor. Some of the prints are discarded ones, or ones that needed a trim down. I was surprised at the amount I had, and my intention is to make a unique, one-off, handmade book from the prints. But more on this as it evolves!

However, as I browsed through the papers I found prints I had made years ago at the Arts University Plymouth, in a letterpress workshop run by the talented printmaker and handmade book enthusiast, Monica Rycerz.

I had chosen the word 'trickery' to typeset and print because I enjoy the way the letters fit together when printed out. Their spacial quality really stands out to me. I also found the definition interesting.....there's probably and idea for a handmade book there too!

I printed an edition of ten, which I then trimmed to A6.

'trickery'

A6 postcard

Weight

'Weight' was inspired by a video on social media about the items a woman carries, from children, shopping and appointments, to expectations, worries and hopes.

I wrote a series of statements; my own response to the non physical weight I carry.

The cover was made on 270gsm bread and butter paper, which is a good thickness to absorb watery diluted ink. Another layer of undiluted black Indian ink was added, creating streaks, blotches and interesting marks. The intention was to create an emotional sense of weight in the forms and colour choices. 

The statements were inkjet printed on 120gsm Fabriano grey pastel paper.

Weight is an edition of twelve.

'Weight' front cover

9 x 9cm

'Weight' title page

'Weight' sample of statements

'Weight' inside pages

Letterpress Workshop

I spent a great day at the Princetown Press recently, making a good selection of prints using their proofing press.

Emma Hogbin, who runs the Press with her partner JP, guided me through the setting up and font selection. Her expertise and approachable style of teaching was brilliant, gently reminding me of parts of the process that I had briefly used many years ago.

I had spent some time prior to the workshop thinking about the text I wanted to print. My drawings of trees and the words connected to them were my first idea, but I finally settled on a selection of words from my own prose used in some of my hand made books.

Emma helped me make several practice prints, playing with different layouts and colours. These were printed on lightweight, white printmaking paper. Once I felt the designs were ready, I used some lovely handmade papers I picked up at Matt Thomas' Paper Hog at RAAY in Plymouth.

It was a great day and I was thrilled with the results. Many new ideas came to me during the workshop and I plan to revisit the Princetown Press next year for another day of Letterpress.

www.princetownpress.co.uk

@princetownpress

@raay_artandyoga

 'inky indigo translations' 

taken from 'Unspoken' February 2018

'uncertain and wordless' 

taken from 'Photographic Tales: Path' June 2018

The Mountains are Calling

The Mountains are Calling is my next contribution to World Book Night for 2026.

The prompt came from Sarah Bodman of CFPR UWE Bristol. The title appealed to me immediately, as I have enjoyed recent trips to Scotland and Austria.

I extracted text from Nan Shepherd's book 'The Living Mountain', an interesting account of her relationship with mountains, specifically the Cairngorms. In the book, Nan not only speaks of her experiences of lone walks, but of the magnificent landscape and how she feels connected to it in both its beauty and harshness.

I decided to represent the mountains by making abstract marks using printing ink. I initially tried monotype printing, but felt that the marks were too soft. I switched to applying the ink directly onto the paper with a roller, rather than using a press. The mountain forms became more pronounced and rugged as I built up the layers of colour, and were enhanced by making concertina folds and cutting mountain top shapes into the paper. The final additions were a select use of crayon, pastel and graphite for finer detail.

The extracted text was kept as simple as possible, to reflect the awe inspired by nature and the mountain environment.

I made five varied copies of the book, one of which will be exhibited for WBN 2026, then used in a book swap for the same event.

Cover: 'The Mountains are Calling' 2025

Hand printed on 220gsm Fabriano Rosapina Bianca.

Inkjet printed on 120gsm Fabriano Tonal Paper

Inside: 'The Mountains are Calling'

Reverse: 'The Mountains are Calling'

Shepherd, N. (2014). The Living Mountain: A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland, Canongate. pp16, 18, 21, 62, 63.

 

Wales Artist's Book Fair, Newtown

I'm delighted to be taking part in the Wales Artist's Book Fair (Llyfr Artistiad Cymru) in Newtown, Powys on the 6-7th September.

It's the first time I have been to this fair, organised by the talented  artist and book maker Amy Sterly at the Hafan Yr Afon Centre in Newtown. 

Please do come along if you're in the beautiful mid Wales area and have a browse at a great selection of handmade artist's books. There's a lovely cafe too and walks along the river.

Hafan Yr Afon

Newtown

SY16 2NH

Open Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th 10am-4pm

Wild Bird of the Ink

Clare Rogers 

In the Beginning

In the Beginning is a very simple book about Dartmoor. It's inspired by the open expanses of moorland, which can look desolate, like an imagined place at the beginning of time.

I had previously made four abstract collagraph prints with a wild landscape vibe. However, I didn't feel that they worked with my intention, so I kept them tucked away in a drawer to use for another project. Once cut down to size, the prints have worked perfectly for 'In the Beginning'. Every cloud....!

I have mentioned before that I never throw away any prints from my printmaking, as they can always be repurposed for book covers or cut down to fit another project.

The text inside 'In the Beginning' has been extracted from two books about Dartmoor; 'Diary of a Dartmoor Walker' by Chips Barber and 'After Dark on Dartmoor' by John Pegg.

The short piece of extracted text, or prose, describes another time within the National Park and I've illustrated the inside with cropped photographs of some my monotype prints made with a theme of the Dartmoor landscape.

There are 8 copies of the book, which are a little smaller than A6.

The inside is inlet printed on 120gsm grey Fabriano paper and set in Gill Sans font.

Cover: 'In the Beginning' 2025

Original collagraph print

143 x 102mm

Inside title page

Inside 'In the Beginning'

Cropped greyscale photograph of monotype print

and extracted text.

 

Stamp Album

I've made another book in the Stamp Album series, this one titled 'Presidents of the United States.'

It uses original stamps from the United States that feature statements by Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

For contrast, I have included typed statements made by Donald Trump.

These little albums are a delight to make, although quite time consuming. I do tend to get lost in the typographic detail and colour of the stamps as I browse through my stamp albums from the 1960's and 70's.

Each book is a one-off.

Cover: 'Stamp Album: Presidents of the Unites States' 

2025

Inkjet printed on tracing paper and squared paper.

Includes card and printed paper

Inside: Stamp featuring quote by Abraham Lincoln and excerpt of statement by Donald Trump.

World Book Night 2025

I'm delighted to be taking part in World Book Night again, which takes place on Wednesday 23rd April 2025.

This year's theme was a response to Richard Powers book 'The Overstory.' The story is about individual people who are summoned different ways by the natural world. It's a thought provoking piece of writing that challenges us to rethink our response to climate change and the protection of the planet, specifically trees.

My book 'Silent Observation' was made using a print from a section of a huge local oak tree. The Lucombe Oak came down in Plymouth in storms in 2024. The text I chose was extracted in part from 'The Overstory' and asks us not to remain silent, but to speak up about the importance of trees for human survival.

All the entries for WBN have been organised, collated and curated by Sarah Bodman, Linda Parr, Nancy Campbell and Rachel Marsh and MA students and is on display at UWE, Bower Ashton, Bristol. 

All artist's work can be viewed at www.instagram.com/lsp_books/

Part of the installation from the contributors to WBN 2025

'Silent Observation' 2025

Single page inside 'Silent Observation' 

Tavistock Group of Artists Talk

I'm delighted to be invited to meet the Tavistock Group of Artists to talk to them about my handmade artist books this month!

It's a great opportunity to give an insight into the wonderful world of handmade books, as well as share my ideas and inspirations.

My books will be on display for the evening at the Tavistock Parish Hall and I will be talking about the making of individual books and reading from some of them. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and the purchase books.

I'm very much looking forward to meeting members of the group and sharing my book making practice. 

Silent Observation

‘Silent Observation’ is a response to ‘The Overstory’ by Richard Powers for World Book Night 2025. 

The original print cover for ‘Silent Observation’ is made from a ring of wood from the Lucombe Oak tree in Widey Woods, Plymouth UK. This magnificent maiden tree was several hundred years old and was very familiar to locals who walked in the woods. Its branches twisted and turned as it reached to great heights. In July 2024 high winds brought the tree down. 

‘Silent Pbservation’ reflects on our passive response to nature, particularly trees. Their loss, whether by man’s choosing or by natural causes, should make us pay more attention to how we view nature as a priority in preventing more damage from climate change.

A list of statements on the inside asks us to consider the vital benefits trees have on our survival as a species.

Front Cover 'Silent Observation' 2025

10.5 x 14.8cm

Inside 'Silent Observation' 2025

The text reads:

I need no fuel

I need little maintenance

I sequester carbon

I enrich soil

I cool the earth

I prevent flooding

I clean air

I drop food for free

I multiply at ease

I heal the sick

I offer a home to thousands

What am I to you?

Clevedon Litfest 2024

I'm delighted that I've been selected to take part in this year's Clevedon Litfest - Celebration of the Book!

It's a one day convention of books and book arts on the 2nd November, 10am-10pm at Princes Hall, Clevedon, BS21 7SZ.

This Celebration of the Book will bring together authors and book artists from across the southwest for a day packed full of workshops, talks, readings and exhibitions, all centred around our popular book and makers market.

If you’re passionate about words and beautifully designed books, you’ll find plenty to enjoy at Celebration of the Book.

Tickets for the various events are available from the website: 

www.clevedonlistfest.org

I'll be at the Book and Makers Market with a display of my handmade artist books to browse and buy. Entry to the market is free and there are over 40 authors and makers stands to visit.

So please pop in and say hello if you're in the area and join in the Celebration of the Book!

                        

Blessings of the Birds 2

The first edition of Blessings of the Birds has sold out, so I thought it would be good to make a second series. There are so many types of birds that I will be able to make a third and fourth series too!

I've used that same format to make the books, but with different paper. The covers are made using 270gsm Colourplan paper in Cobalt. I used a goose feather to 'paint' oil based printing ink and Indian ink loosely onto the surface. The title page is inkjet printed on tracing paper. After composing the eight blessings, I inkjet printed them onto copier paper, before cutting to fit the covers. Finally, the books were stitched using a Japanese style Ledger binding with wax coated thread.

I believe that if we think about the talents and beauty of all birds, our appreciation for them will grow and we will care to protect them in these challenging ecological times.

There are 12 copies of this book.

blessings of the birds 2

2024

14 x 3cm Inkjet printed on tracing paper 

and 90gsm copier paper

Cover: Hand painted on 270gsm Colourplan Cobalt. 

Here are three of the 8 blessings:

blessed are the red kites

for they rejoice in being saved from extinction

blessed are the pigeons

for although they were abandoned, they will be loved again

blessed are the owls

for their silent flight will carry wisdom through the night

 

Bristol Artists Book Event

It's been a week since the Bristol Artists Book Event (BABE) and I've been reflecting on the great time I had!

The event, at UWE Bower Ashton, had plenty of space for many artists and publishers to show their books and paper ephemera. There was a fantastic range of different types of book making and visitors and stall holders spent hours looking through the interesting work.

It was also a great opportunity to chat about handmade books, their concepts, processes and materials and I enjoyed catching up with a few familiar faces, as well as meeting new ones.

The event is a fantastic source of inspiration and I have come away with ideas for new handmade artists books.

I bought a small selection of books from other artists, which I have enjoyed looking through. See below:

'Uncoupled Derailed'

by Linda Parr

'Postcard No21'

 by Andrew Morrison

'The Teapot'

by Erin K Schmidt

'Pilgrimage: Communing with the Trees'

by Antoinette Moorby

Bristol Artists Book Event

The Bristol Artists Book Event (BABE) is taking place this year on Saturday & Sunday 29-30th of June and I'm delighted to be taking part!

The event will be held again at the UWE campus on Kennel Lodge Road, Bower Ashton, Bristol BS3 2JT. This superb location offers a huge space for artists to display and sell their handmade artist books and it fits in beautifully within the print department.

There is always a wonderfully eclectic mix of ideas, bindings, illustration and materials, with plenty of inspiration for artists and visitors.

This year I will be giving a short 'Show and Tell' talk about my method of extracting text and I'll be reading a sample from my book 'In This Grey Wind'. I'll have all of my handmade books on display for visitors to browse and I'll be happy to answer any questions. I will also have some of my prints, cards and badges and free bookmarks, and for the first time I will be using my press title of 'Wild Bird of the Ink!'

It's a great book fair and definitely one not to miss!

I hope to see you there!

BABE

UWE, Kennel Lodge Road, Bower Ashton, Bristol BS3 7JT

29th-30th June 2024

Wild Bird of the Ink

Isles at the Edge of the Sea

The Isles at the Edge of the Sea concertina book is a departure from my regular text based handmade artist books.

I was fortunate to visit the Outer Hebrides in May 2024; a place that had been on my bucket list for some years. I had longed to experience the wild, wind-wrapped isles, with their beautiful white sandy shores, lochans and hills.

They certainly didn't disappoint! Of the ones I visited, the most appealing were North and South Uist and, I'm sure I left a piece of my heart on Benbecula.

The inspiration for a drawings and handmade books came quickly. I did look into extracting text from online guide to the Isles, but my finished writing didn't have the flow I was looking for to describe how I felt about the place. An attempt to simply use place names also fell short of the mark, leaving the written words floating over the images. I think an audio piece would have greater impact on the beautiful Gaelic names.

The initial mark-making experiments were a joy! Using charcoal, pencils, ink pen, pastels and ink, I used my memories of the land and seascapes to quickly create scenes. 

The five finished eight page landscape concertina books are 80x8cm (each page 10x8cm) all hand drawn on white cartridge paper. Each book is a unique individual piece of art, with one side black and white and the other in colour. Having used charcoal and pastels, the books are quite fragile.

The images below are a selection from three of the books.

'Isles at the Edge of the Sea' 

2024

Concertina book 80x8cm

Stamp Album

Stamp Album is a new series of one-off books inspired by old stamp albums that belonged to my family. We would spend time on a Saturday afternoon browsing in the Stamp Shop and selecting ones to add to our own collections. Relatives who visited other countries would send postcards or bring back stamps for us.

Browsing through the albums now, I remember as a child I was particularly drawn to the stamps depicting exotic flowers or birds and I found the careful colour selections of different stamp values very appealing.

I pictured some of the stamps mounted on dark coloured card with wide borders, a bit like a painting hung in an art gallery. The idea for my handmade book Stamp Album then grew.

The cover is inkjet printed onto tracing paper, with an inside cover page of craft paper with an atlas page print. The next page features the original stamps mounted on to dark coloured card. The final, central page is my own text relating to the stamp, inkjet printed onto squared paper. 

The first in the series contains stamps from Canada with beautiful vibrant images of berries from Saskatoon. The following text is a recipe for jam!

The next album has stamps form Italy featuring Italian castles. The text includes a description of the castle and a story I wrote to accompany it.

There are only one of each album available. I plan to make more to add to the series. I have lots of stamps!

'Stamp Album' 2024

From cover 7x7cm.

'Stamp Album' 2024

Inside front cover, atlas style craft paper.

'Stamp Album : A Recipe for Saskatoon Jam' 1/1 

Page with original stamp on red card 

and title page.

'Stamp Album'

Centre page Ingredients and Method 

inkjet printed on squared paper.

'Stamp Album : Castles of Italy' 1/1 2024

Page with original stamp 

and description of the castle, 

and my own story based around the image. 

Here are a further two Albums I have added to the series. As with the others, there is only one of each.

'Stamp Album : New Zealand Plants' 1/1 2024

'Stamp Album : Butterflies' 1/1 2024