place: Local Artist Open Studio - Pam Mulholland

 

Despite the slightly drizzly day today,  I decided to venture to Epping to see the open studio of Pam Mullholland (Printmaker/Artist) who is a new member of the Essex Art Club which I also belong to. I'm always keen to connect with other like minded souls as although there are probably creatives in area (Gants Hill) I havent really got any links here besides a few artists at the Valentines Mansion artist studios. 

I also like to get out of the area for some creative inspiration particulary as where I live isnt the most inspiring of places and gone much grittier over recent years (litter, lack of care due to many houses becoming rental properties, stripping out of any remaining green in front of homes to make way for car parking etc) and no interesting/creative spaces. 

Pam's studio

Was lovely to see Pam's studio which is in her house within a converted garage/spare bedroom with sofa bed. Such a warm, cosy inspiring space filled with both her own work and printmaking work from her peers that she studied with and even a printing press! Im always fascinated with how other creatives work; where they make their work and how they organise their space particularly when they dont have an external studio. Will do another post on my own making space reflections!

Was also very interesting to hear about Pam's journey where she was previously a policy advisor for the government. She'd done various short courses then 3 years ago took the plunge to do a year-long printmaking course at Curwen Print Study Centre set up by the Master Printer Stanley Jones. She'd toyed with the idea of a degree but similar situation to myself back in the day, in that the fees are just too much. The course at Curwen sounds super intense and very disciplined - eg for one assessment you had to produce 20 prints which were printed exactly the same and checked with a magnifying glass!

Some of Pam's work

Pam's work was so varied in range in terms of both techniqus and subject from plant cyanotypes to abstract prints to large abstract coastal paintings on canvas! She also has a house in St Ives so spends part of her time there (what a dream!) and some of her work nodded towards the shapes used by Barbara Hepworth as well as coastal influences. I really loved the piece in the above photo on the right of the floatinng swimmer. Is rather Hockney-esque but asides that, really evoked the sense of floating on a hot summers day whilst basking in the shimmery water - very evocative.

Another oe of my faves was a collagraph based piece (below right) - love the frame within the frame and colour ways as well as her solar plate prints of ferns.

Look forward to seeing Pam's solo show in St Ives next May if I manage to make it down to Cornwall. We also had a good chat about selling outlets, different avenues to show and sell. She seems to be very busy with fairs and a group show in Chelmsford! Was very inspiring to hear about and got me thinking about outlets for my work and perhaps getting back to it. 

Finally, couldnt leave without a little purchase so got a few bits including some xmas cards where the £ is being donated for a the rebuilding of a church roof. Tiles are us!