Tell us a bit about your artistic background and education
I studied Graphic Design at Brighton University, then became an illustrator kind of by accident - an illustrator friend passed on a commission to me when she didn't have the time to do it. It was for a charity so I didn't get paid, but it gave me a lot of confidence as they loved what I did for them. I did a few more illustration commissions but generally found the experience quite terrifying - the tight time pressures and having to meet the expectations of a client just wasn't for me. I landed at Lawrence's about 5 years ago, and through working here I've discovered printmaking. I now have my own fully-stocked printmaking studio, where I can experiment and create whatever I want, whenever, to my heart's content. I think my work is very informed from what I learnt about design on my BA, with the very 'human', hands on, lo-fi aproach of relief printmaking.
What is it like working for Lawrence Art Supplies?
Working here you get to know about all sorts of different art materials, perhaps in mediums you'd never considered trying before but always wanted to. This knowledge is so useful for an artist - and I think it makes you bolder about trying new things out and pushing your work further.
What inspires your work, generally?
Making documents or social records of current times, in order to understand them better, think about them, be fascinated by them, and in the future look back at them.
Tell me about your process, where things begin, how they evolve etc.
I spend quite a long time turning over an idea for a subject matter in my head. Once I've settled on it I'll begin scribbling out composition ideas in pencil. Composition is a huge part of what inspires me to create a print - I always like it to be quite unusual, not go with the obvious. Next I'll think about colour, and usually experiment with swatches, over-laying colours to see what new colours I can make. Once I've decided on composition and colour, I'll divide the image up into about four or five separate layers of lino, each a different colour. Hopefully, if I've worked it out correctly, once they're printed one on top of the other they'll create the image I want. Usually things go differently to how you plan, but this is usually a good thing.
What does your typical day in the studio entail?
I like to start early - about 9.30 - so I can start printing and get a lot done at once. I'll stop for lunch then maybe work on another project while the prints dry, perhaps drawing up a new composition for a print idea I've been thinking about. About 5.30 I'll stop for dinner then a walk. I'll almost always have something to listen to when I'm working in the studio - music, podcasts, radio shows, audiobooks - to help get me absorbed in whatever I'm doing.
What is your favourite colour and why? There is not one colour I do not like. Colour is so fundamental to an artist…I could never pick just one.
What is your favourite product and why?
The set of Japanese woodcut tools Lawrence's sell is excellent value for a beginner and really helped set me on my road to printmaking. The Lawrence linseed oil-based relief inks are brilliant too, endless colour experimenting fun.
How has your artistic knowledge helped someone else?
I'm always keen to talk to people about relief printmaking - how rewarding it is, how you don't need expensive equipment and anyone can have a go at home. I don't have a huge breadth of knowledge to impart yet! Only what I've picked up as I've gone along - I think that's the way that works best for me - get an idea of what you want to create then try and figure out how you can get it to work. I'm usually quite unorthodox in my approach to things - I like to make it up as I go!
What inspired you to become an artist?
A life-long steely determination to be completely myself, completely free, and therefore completely happy.
Who is / are your favourite artists and why?
Picasso, for taking on every medium and doing it completely differently. Hockney for his inventiveness.
What is the most valuable piece of advice anyone has given you that you still use today?
Don't give up! Self-belief is paramount.
To see more of Hannah's work see her website
www.hannahforward.com
