Meet The Maker - Angela Hall
My name is Angela Hall, I’m an artist and silkscreen printer based in North Yorkshire, and I have been making and selling my limited-edition prints for the last 5 years from my studio, specialised print events and regional galleries.
My creative journey started with a degree in Graphic Design from Bath Academy of Art in the 1980’s, then progressed into working within the design and print industry, before a career change working within community arts in South East London. A move up north to North Yorkshire and a big cultural change saw me working with rural communities and establishing community arts organisation 'Rural Arts' based in Thirsk. After over 30 years at the helm, I decided to resurrect my creative self.
Describe your printmaking process.
My printing process is primarily exposed silkscreens. My approach is very direct, and I experiment with hand drawn and painted stencils which are very bold and based on my sketchbook drawings and paintings. I’m not a lover of replicating my artwork using computers and I prefer hand painting onto acetates with Indian ink and overlaying with collage elements. My process is very accessible, and I love experimenting with textures and mixing ink on the screen to achieve colour variations. I transfer my designs on to my screens using a large exposure unit before printing in my studio.
'Fish and Fruit'
How and where did you learn to print?
I learned to silkscreen print at school during the 60’s and 70’s, creating bright bold prints that my mum turned into curtains and tablecloths! During my art school days, I fell under the spell of the print room at Bath Academy where I learned the exposed-silkscreen process and how to turn my large-scale drawings and paintings into print. I think that this captured my imagination more than the graphics and typography, and I still use this exact same process today. After art school, I worked in industry where I learned a more commercial and technical print approach, as well as using different inks and surfaces.
'Roosters'
Why printmaking?
Recording my environment in my sketchbooks has been a daily practice for many years, and silkscreen printmaking has enabled me to take my small drawings into bold and luxurious printed artworks. I enjoy the whole manufacturing process too, and the physicality of handling screens, mixing ink, and solving printing problems. Silkscreen is a positive process and unlike etching and relief printing, I don’t need to work in the negative or reflect the design and confuse my brain. I’m also a very energetic person and silkscreen printing allows me to work in a dynamic way, and I think that it reflects my personality.
'The Whitby Pilot'
Where do you work?
I live on a working farm and I have a home studio on the ground floor. I’m surrounded by fields on all sides with frequent visits from deer, hare and a very inquisitive robin that pops in if I leave the window open. The studio is crammed full of equipment, including a lovely hand bench with vacuum and one-armed squeegee, 2 large plan chests and a large worktable with a light box. I have a large exposure unit and wash out unit that are installed in the adjacent garage. I’m very lucky that I have a lot of space for storing screens etc.
'Hips, Pods and Cones'
Describe a typical day in your studio.
I structure the start of every working week to include creative studio time, admin, gardening and running on the North Yorkshire Moors where I live. I usually run early in the morning then back home to continue working on various projects. My drawing practise takes place on location, which can be at home or when I’m out shopping, walking etc. I paint all my stencils prior to prepping my screens and this can take anything from a couple of days to a week to complete. I set aside a day to clean screens and coat them for my photo process and I typically let them dry for 24 hrs. I tend to leave 2 clear days to print my limited-edition prints, which gives plenty of drying time between screens. There is naturally always lots of admin to complete, customers to contact, prints to post etc and I try to set time aside every week or fit this in between other jobs. Running a small business is always a balancing act and I’m very easily distracted!
'Fancy Pigeons'
How long have you been printmaking?
Full time for the last 5 years and off and on from the 1980’s.
What inspires you?
My process is led by daily drawing activities in my sketchbooks where I explore my surroundings and record my experiences. My main inspiration comes from my immediate surroundings, this could be a still life of favourite objects on a windowsill, the farm Guinea Fowl running across the garden or the many drawings I make on location in museums, gardens, seaside harbours etc. Most of my print designs are created from my memories of a place or object which I simplify when I’m back in the studio. I look for the quirk in my subject matter and I guess my work reflects the rural environment I live and work in. There is a strong graphic style running through my printmaking.
'Fruitfest'
What is your favourite printmaking product?
I have several favourite products and marvel at how the silkscreen process has moved away from the horrid solvent-based inks that sent me into a brain high and destroyed both my skin and clothing not to mention my lungs. My favourite acrylic inks and medium are both made by Daler Rowney, but other products are available. Although I like drawing and painting on florists’ acetate, I also use a product called True Grain that picks up lovely tones and mark making with crayons and ink.
'Way-side'
What have you made that you are most proud of?
Some of my prints require a great deal of drawing e.g. ‘On Guard’ and ‘Fancy Pigeons’ from initial sketchbook ideas to creating the final hand draw stencils. Alternatively, I also use immediate quick brush strokes and loose designs and ‘Lemons and Sardines’ is one of my favourites.
Where can we see your work? Where do you sell?
You can catch me at national print and craft fairs. For more information visit my website www.artfarm.uk where you will find a current list of events and exhibitions.
'Shoal'
This year I will be exhibiting at Bovey Tracey Craft Festival in Devon, 7th-9th June
I will be taking part in two exhibitions – Solo exhibition at Masham Gallery and a group show at RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate in August - September.
The following galleries also stock my work:
Sunnybank Mills, Farsley, Leeds
Salt Gallery, Beverley
Craft Centre, Leeds
'On Guard'
What will be seeing from you next
I’m currently working on a new series of prints for my exhibition in July at Masham Gallery, Richmond, North Yorkshire. This work will be inspired by my sketchbook drawings of gardens, plants and wildlife.
Do you have any advice for any printmakers and creatives -Advice for silkscreen printers
- Equipment Basics - Start small with basic equipment and don't be tempted to invest in expensive kit.
- Learn with and from others - Join a print collective or studio and learn to print with a professional or join an online course. This is the best way of getting access to equipment and materials and challenging yourself creatively.
- Simplicity – Keep it simple
- Experiment and Keep it original – Challenge yourself and find out what works for you. Work from your own original drawings and designs
Angela is joining us in the Handprinted studio to teach two two-day silkscreen printing workshops:
Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th November 2024
Monday 18th - Tuesday 19th November 2024
Follow Angela on Instagram and check out her Youtube Channel
Introduction to simple silk screen printing , Introduction to photo silkscreen , introduction to silkscreen monoprinting.