Inspiration Stories – Folk Style Linocuts By MStraccia Art

Applying for Open Calls and Exhibitions

At the start of 2025, an artist friend suggested I try to get my prints into some exhibitions. I applied to four open calls this year and I was successful at three of them. How Did I Find Out About Open Calls? Galleries and art organisers promote their open calls on Instagram. It seemed toContinue reading “Applying for Open Calls and Exhibitions”

Dipper Print Inspired By A Walk In Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

This is my latest completed reduction linocut print of a dipper I saw at Monsal Dale in Derbyshire. Anyone who is familiar with the area should recognise the old railway viaduct in the background over the winding River Wye. Me and my partner, Jack, had a fantastic sunny Spring Day, walking the meadow and lookingContinue reading “Dipper Print Inspired By A Walk In Monsal Dale, Derbyshire”

The Lost Portfolio

An Illustration Exhibition at Bedford College The Circus of Illustration is a group of professional designers and illustrators who volunteer their time to help promote illustration locally in Bedford. We were approached by Bedford College to organise an exhibition in their South Bank Gallery. Home of their art and design department. Unfortunately we weren’t givenContinue reading “The Lost Portfolio”

Kestrels Near Harboro Rocks

A New Reduction Linocut Print Inspired by the Nature in the Derbyshire Dales Way back in November I was lucky enough to go to the Derbyshire Dales and Peak District for a little birthday trip with Jack. I love this part of the English countryside. It is the nearest British National Park to Sheffield University (whereContinue reading “Kestrels Near Harboro Rocks”

My 2024 Art Journey: Achievements and Reflections

I’ve noticed some artists on social media are sharing their work and accomplishments of 2024. I was reading these posts thinking, “Oh no, they’ve done so much this year and I haven’t achieved anything. Why am I so lazy?” I decided to try and write it down. Here is my retrospective of 2024. I exhibited atContinue reading “My 2024 Art Journey: Achievements and Reflections”

Why I Switched from Etsy to Sum Up for Selling Prints

Bye Etsy. Hello Sum-Up Why have I decided to sell on a new platform? Etsy Shops Aren’t What They Used to Be. I’ve been disappointed with how I’ve seen Etsy evolve over the years. I started selling on the platform back in 2008. In those days Etsy was a champion of independent artists and makers.Continue reading “Why I Switched from Etsy to Sum Up for Selling Prints”

Boxing

‘Boxing’ is my latest reduction print. I was inspired by Watership Down. Like a lot of kids who grew up in the 80s my parents thought Watership Down was a cute and cuddly cartoon about bunnies that would be suitable for little girls. How wrong they were. This summer, I finally read the novel byContinue reading “Boxing”

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”

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”