On the 10th and 11th November we had a most exciting two day workshop with Catherine.  Enjoy the images. John Baxter

Catherine Pitchford Workshop.   Laurence Belbin reports

A fantastic two days!   After introductions Catherine talked and demonstrated us through the process of mono printing. A few moments of practice, making marks in various ways with a selection of materials and implements we began on our own ideas.

Come lunchtime we had a selection of work to look at and to discuss from images of birds, trees, figures, landscapes and a wonderful print by Frances Neal of a cup and teapot. Having refreshed ourselves and having seen other peoples work we were all fired up to produce more in the afternoon. Some had experience of printing, others, like myself, had none but could see the potential. My problem was that my ability could not keep up with my imagination!
Day two
We all arrived early and keen to begin. Armed with cups of tea and coffee we gathered around to watch Catherine demonstrate the use of stencils.
We were soon again at our tables cutting our own stencils from plastic sheet and papers. We had the use of a wider range of colours and there was a general buzz in the room and then periods of relative quiet as concentration levels increased as we tried to work out the order to lay colours down and which stencil to use first. There was a continual line of people visiting the sink to wash their inky plates and rollers ready for the next stage of printing.
The time raced by and the hour of 4 was approaching fast. A final push to get the last colours printed. A big clean up operation began then the final view of the work produced over the past two very enjoyable days.
The range of work was wide, very well executed and several worthy of framing.
This workshop was one of the best. It was incredibly well organised and all equipment and materials provided. We had everything we needed and some things we didn’t even know we needed!
Our tutor was not only inspiring but patient and very encouraging. We all came away having learned an awful lot and some will surely set themselves up with inks and rollers to continue this fascinating art form.
Laurence Belbin