Artists Statement

Diana Ashdown Dip.A.D. M.A (Cantab)

I am an artist, primarily a printmaker experimenting and devising innovative print techniques mainly with lino, exploring texture, line and intricate pattern. In the observed and imagined works that I create, the subject matter reflects my interest in nature, landscape, garden and architectural settings. Colour is as important to me as line and texture.

I regularly exhibit my prints in mixed and solo exhibitions, I show work at the Affordable Art Fair, London and Bristol, with Obsidian Gallery who represent me and keep a selection of my work.  I submit work for national open submission exhibitions, successfully at N.O.P.E, Bankside Gallery, London and Pushing Print Margate, also the R.A Summer Exhibition; I was shortlisted for the R.A but not hung, so close…... and yet, also shortlisted and hung! 'Walking Off' for The Masters exhibition at the Bankside Gallery, London. I was delighted to be invited to demonstrate in Art In Action at Waterperry, Gardens, an absolute highlight.

I have work in public arenas such as the Art for Wards, NHS hospitals programme and work in numerous private collections across the world. Buckinghamshire Museum in Aylesbury have accepted my intglio vinyl print of 'Buckingham Oak' for their permanent collection, which will hopefully go on show in Autumn 2018. I have images reproduced of ‘Bram’ in The Printmakers Cat and ’Yum’ in The Little Chicken Book, published by Mascot Media, Norfolk and in 2018 I have work accepted for 'The Illustrated Garden' full colour and a raveshing book, more in the pipeline. In addition, I had a print published in Printmaking Today magazine on the back cover, and in the Craft and Design magazine 2011.

 I enjoy the restrictions imposed by using a relatively simple vinyl flooring which gives a fine, smooth print. Cutting the plates into individual pieces and shapes and jig sawing them together, enables me to ink each piece differently e.g. some pieces intaglio and some relief, some prints have three or four plate, each piece of lino for a different colour, which I print wet on wet to build up the image.  I enjoy using a mix of simple, bold shapes with fine detail embedded in them, the printing ink I use is a translucent etching ink so colours interact with each other as I overlay them. I print using my floor standing Rochat etching press and a new edition to my family in 2018 a Rochat Albion, because I am worth it! I enjoy creatively working round and resolving the technicalities of bringing an idea into reality.

Prizes - Gainsborough House prize for graduate printmakers 2012, for the caustic etched lino print ‘June’

Awards - Jane Muir start up grant