Sian Appleyard

I am an artist and fine art printmaker living between the south coast and Hampshire’s beautiful New Forest. Since moving to this lovely area I have enjoyed wandering by the sea and inland, observing and capturing in print features which catch my eye.

My images usually evolve from sketches made on location locally or travels further afield.  The starting point is often a distinctive shape, the interesting placement of man made forms or the way the passage of time has altered surfaces to produce beautiful colours, patterns and textures..

Originally graduating as a designer, I enjoy playing with both figurative forms and abstract shapes to convey my ideas. I discovered printmaking relatively recently, starting with courses and a foundation year at Red Hot Press, Southampton, and have been on a journey of exploration ever since.

My work has regularly been selected for the St Barbe Museum & Gallery, Open and my first entry, “Tide Line”, won the 2019 Mary and John Symonds Memorial award for best print in show. In 2020 my image “Faith, Fish and Fur” exploring the journey of the ship Mayflower 400 years ago,  formed part of a collaboration with fellow printmakers which was exhibited both in Plymouth USA (2020) and Southampton. UK (2021).  This print was also selected for the Southampton City Art Gallery Open in 2020.

I am a member of Artful Collective and Artisans Now! and also of Cowprint, a group of supportive fellow printmakers. I exhibit regularly in galleries around the region including Chalks Gallery Lymington. Please see my exhibitions listing for upcoming events.

Collagraph

There are endless possibilities with print making techniques. The collagraph process, with its potential for such varied mark making, is currently my focus.. At its simplest, collagraph is a form of collage with plates being made by cutting away and adding to a surface layer. I work both in relief and intaglio often both on the same plate and multiple plates are usually overprinted to produce the final images.

I like the idea that due to the inking and wiping process I can create prints which, although similar across a print run, are each unique in various ways. I prefer to print small editions, generally no more than 20 but frequently limited to 10 or less.