Aurore Swithenbank

Inspiration in the snow

While people were at work or struggling with the cold weather I had the privilege to get lost on Hampstead Heath in the blizzard. I currently do volunteering in several places to gain experience, have some part time work but mainly trying to push myself as an artist. So when I do have a day of I really appreciate being able to go out and get inspiration for my next projects. I took my camera to get quick snaps that could potentially be lino print projects in the future. 

I can’t draw from my imagination so I spend a lot of time documenting objects and subjects through photography so I can go home and draw from. In warmer weather I go out and spend more time drawing on the spot. I do come up with some projects where I might want to draw something that I can’t easily go and photograph such as exotic animals so I turn to books from libraries or photographs on the internet.   

Today was the perfect day to search for shapes and even textures for inspiration. But mostly to get some scenic pictures with the snow. 

I am extremely lucky to be living so close to Hampstead Heath where I can walk for hours when ever in search for new inspiration. Working outdoors with nature is extremely fulfilling and very uplifting especially living in a big city like London.

Please enjoy some of the photographs that hopefully will turn into some sort of print in the future.


Behind designing prints

Before the Christmas period
and before rekindling my love for lino prints I was doing ink drawings in my
sketchbook of shapes and patterns for future sculptures in enamelling. I was
inspired by old zoology and botanical prints and I wanted to create groups of
enamels that I could frame together. But I knew it I didn’t have the money or
the facilities to complete my project and enamels.

In the New Year I was
extremely excited to have rekindled my passion for lino printing and from those
drawings, as you can see below, I was inspired to carve my leaf, butterfly and
beetle prints. It was affordable and I had the tools plus lino to get right
into it. I use the same patterns from the enamels with my prints and I shape things
similarly.  I made a few pattern charts
to look at while designing new prints (as seen below). My patterns are heavily
influenced by folklore art, from looking at clothing from different cultures,
ancient pottery, to decay on walls and trees and plenty more from nature.


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