Sally-Mae: Self-taught Linocut Printmaker

11 Mar

1.- Please, Introduce yourself

Hello! I’m Sally, I’m a self-taught linocut printmaker behind Shapes by Sal. I grew up in Nelson in a large family (I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers!) and creativity was encouraged throughout my childhood, so we are all very creative in our own ways. I discovered linocut printmaking 3 years ago, immediately fell in love with it and have been exploring the medium ever since. Most of my linocut prints are hand-printed onto paper, but I also do some fabric printing and create custom stamps for small businesses.

2.- What does a typical working day for you look like?

I work 3 days a week as a field worker for an environmental organisation and so Wednesdays and Thursdays are set aside for my art. As my part-time job is quite physical, I’m often tired on my art days so I normally start with some yoga. I get distracted by housework, so I do this before art as well. Then I do the admin jobs - packing orders, updating online shop, ordering new supplies etc. If I am working on any new prints, I might start printing or carving the next layer. Or if I’m low in some editions I will print more. My larger prints take 20-30 mins to print a single piece; mix the ink, roll it over the linocut, place paper on top, rub the back of the paper until the ink has transferred sufficiently and repeat with any other blocks/colours.

3.- What inspires you?

My biggest inspiration will always be our natural world, and everything outdoors. I love the mountains and my recent move to Wanaka has been giving me a lot of inspiration even in my day to day. I also get inspiration from other peoples work, often in the way a feeling is conveyed. This is something I strive for - to convey the feeling of a place. My appreciation for the great outdoors and the natural environment underpins the majority of my work.

4.- What would your dream project/client be?

I would love to open a collective gallery shop/studio/workshop/exhibition space here in Wanaka! And I would also love to have a family space for me and my siblings creations, as they are all so talented! Now if only we all lived in the same place.

5.- What's something you wish you'd known at the beginning of your creative career?

I’m sure there are lots of things, but trial and error is also so important because it helps you come up with your own processes that you know work for you. I’m only now coming up with pricing and stock spreadsheets that actually work for me. I’ve had quite a few attempts in the past couple of years but none of them worked for me until recently!

6.- What do you do when you are not busy creating?

I love being outdoors, tramping, mountain biking and every now and then I dabble in a bit of trail running or climbing.

7.- Do you have any technique for overcoming creative blocks?

Recently I’ve started doing more plein-air sketching because I can truly capture the essence when I’m actually there in that environment. For this, I really like using mixed media; watercolour, pencils, pens etc. I try not to think about the outcome, but rather enjoy the process of getting there. And then when I get home, I look at these sketches and I’m transported back to that valley or mountain top and it seems to help any creative blocks! Or if the block is really bad, I just give in and take a break, and sometimes that is also needed.

8.- What are you working on right now?

I’ve just finished a new large reduction print of 5 layers, which took me a few weeks to make. So currently I haven’t actually started anything new! I’ve got quite a few ideas in mind which I’m designing and sketching but nothing is set to start carving yet!

9.- What advice would you give to someone that's just starting the same career as you?

Be your own biggest fan (which is harder than it sounds) but if you believe in yourself then others will too. And don’t forget to have fun!

10.- Name 2 podcasts, magazines, websites or artists that you're into at the moment.

Wanaka’s local magazine 1964, they have some epic cover art ;)

The amazing artist Cris Pliego, but you already know that!! (Thanks Sal! <3)

Laura Boswell, who is a UK based, incredible linocut artist.