I‘m an artist, printmaker and writer living and working in West Norfolk. I’ve got no formal arts training and only began working full time as an artist in my very late 50’s after a career as a freelance writer.  I think one really helped the other – I’m used to being self-employed, self-starting and self-motivating, and I’ve always been very visual – when writing I could always see and hear what was happening to my characters, and I think that visual imagination has really helped me develop as an artist.

I live in a little market town in Norfolk and love the diverse nature of the Norfolk Countryside, its amazing unspoilt coast line and its wildlife – as some-one pointed out recently, I’m all about Birds, Boats and Beaches!

Before becoming a printmaker I tried lots of other arts and crafts. I’ve worked with mosaics, stained glass, wet felting, papercutting – all of that experience and experimentation was really worthwhile, helping to build up skills in composition, mark making, colour, handling tools, finding out about inks and blades and glue. And along the way I’ve also met some amazing people who have been prepared to show me, teach me and share their knowledge.

I now work primarily as a linocut printmaker, which for me is the perfect balance of art and craft. I love working out the composition and drawing the blocks, but then also love the carving and the technical challenge that comes with creating a print.

I also love, and have missed, going to fairs, workshops and exhibitions this year – I enjoy the village feel of events, and showing and explaining to people what I do –  while lockdown may have curtailed the trips and adventures I had planned it hasn’t stopped me enjoying the garden, walking the dogs or imagining trips to favourite places.

Those things have kept me going over the last few months and inspired lots of new work.

You can find me on Etsy:  www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SueWelfareArtist