Bedford – 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”

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”

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”

Easy Crafty Loo Roll Lion Workshop at The Higgins: A Fun Activity for Families

I want to share with you these super fun and easy crafty loo roll lions. We made them at The Higgins, the home of the Edward Bawden archive in Bedford. The lions are inspired by Bawden’s Aesop Fable artwork for ‘The Lion and The Gnat’. You can see the piece in the main (or mane)Continue reading “Easy Crafty Loo Roll Lion Workshop at The Higgins: A Fun Activity for Families”

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”

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”