MStraccia Art

An Art Workshop for Families

Easter was a while ago now, but I want to share some amazing artwork with you. I was honoured to be invited to run another Crafternoon at The Higgins. This is my town’s local museum. It’s an important place to me because it houses the Edward Bawden archive. He’s one of my favourite artists. IContinue reading “An Art Workshop for Families”

Slowly with Warts and All

I have finished a new reduction linocut print called ‘Toad and Snail’. It is inspired by all things witchy and celestial, with the creatures in the centre of the composition and a hopeful shooting star overhead. Linocutting is a slow, old fashioned way of printing. Slow like a snail! And because I print by handContinue reading “Slowly with Warts and All”

Edward Bawden & The Circus of Illustration

Edward Bawden and the Circus Of Illustration has finally opened at The Higgins in Bedford. It is a new exhibition that is on until October 2024. This exhibition is a sister show to Edward Bawden and Me, which is a major exhibition, running concurrently with this show. However, our exhibition has a focus on localContinue reading “Edward Bawden & The Circus of Illustration”

Making a Reduction Linocut Print

I have been working on a very special reduction lino cut print and I have been recording my process.I recently uploaded a video which explains how I create my reduction prints at home. I hope you find it informative. Hopefully it will inspire you to try your own print, using the reduction technique.Watch it here.

The Cormorant

Last year I bought myself a pookie press. These are portable table top linoprinting presses that are an affordable way to print for hobbyists like myself. They are made here in the UK. My press prints up to A3 in size. It’s compact, so doesn’t take up much room in my little terrace house. IContinue reading “The Cormorant”

Bedford è Bella!

A Workshop for Kids at The Higgins. Bedford High Street was transformed at my first kids art workshop. I was asked to come up with an arts activity that would celebrate Bedford’s Italian connections. It was an event organised by Dr Selena Daly from University College London. She is a lecturer in Italian studies andContinue reading “Bedford è Bella!”

Stoat

A new reduction linocut print I’ve been having problems selling with Etsy and I was going to join a new online shop, but it’s so time consuming, I can’t be bothered to organise the switch! There are so many hyperlinks on various websites and platforms to tweak. I decided to keep going with Etsy forContinue reading “Stoat”

Drawing Bedford Together

A Zine About Bedford High Street I’ve been project managing a gorgeous new zine with The Circus Of Illustration all about Bedford High Street. The booklet is brimming with original illustrations by some very talented local artists. We worked with experienced and aspiring artists linked to Bedford, pairing them as mentors and mentees to nurture theContinue reading “Drawing Bedford Together”

Block Printing on Fabric

I have always wanted to create my own block printed fabric. I wanted to make myself a pretty headscarf. I didn’t know where to start so I did some experimenting and I want to share with you my discoveries. Experiment no. 1 First, wash the fabric to clean off any impurities that could stop theContinue reading “Block Printing on Fabric”

Checklist for Selling Your Artwork at an Art Fair or Flea Market

I panicked the last time I did a flea market because I couldn’t find the checklist I made. I was terrified that I was going to forget something important. By writing my checklist as a blog post I will never lose it again AND you can use it to help get organised when you goContinue reading “Checklist for Selling Your Artwork at an Art Fair or Flea Market”