Since February I’ve been trying to sell some original prints at a local shop near where I live in Bedford. It’s independently run by a local business woman who wants to support local artists, makers and jewellers. She saw my artwork and wanted to stock it. It’s a huge compliment. I want more people to see my art and to have it picked to be featured in a bricks and mortar shop gave me some validation as a creator. I feel like a real artist, stepping into the real world of retail!

What the Customers Don’t Understand

With my linocut reduction prints, the original artwork IS THE PRINT! My originals are born in multiples. Every piece gets created by inking up and taking an impression from one piece of lino. It’s a long, laborious method of creating, that is very difficult to explain to those who don’t know the process. No wonder they don’t seem to value the artwork.

I have discovered that for this gift shop, nothing of mine is being sold, because they are expensive for this customer base. My babies need a more art literate audience.

Why don’t you do a Swan? They’d sell!

Because it’s Bedford right? People know what a swan is. There are loads of them. I like swans. I’m a bird nerd. But, I’m shocked people don’t recognise a common cormorant. Baffled they don’t realise you can see them everyday by the river. And I don’t make this art purely to sell it and make cold hard cash. I’m not running a business. I’m picky with what I make. I ruminate over my designs for weeks. I love it, I hate it, but I won’t lower my prices.

I have a Mon-Fri job as a designer and illustrator. I am creating to a brief all day. Printing is for my satisfaction. I want to make the images I want because it’s where I find value. It’s an incredible feeling if I sell anything, because it means someone must have felt a connection to my work. I find that very powerful and it makes me emotional to think someone has welcomed one of my prints into their home.