linocut – Folk Style Linocuts By MStraccia Art

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”

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”

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”

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”

New for 2023: A Newsletter

Newsletters and email subscribers are useful ways for me to keep in contact with you, but signing up to things suck. Our inboxes are crammed with junk trying to sell us things we don’t need. My newsletter will be more informative than just an ordinary marketing email. I’m going to write articles about artists IContinue reading “New for 2023: A Newsletter”

My favourite paper

I occasionally get asked about the materials I use for my handprinted reduction prints. My favourite paper is Zerkall, made near the Rur River in Cologne, Germany. It’s heavy enough to take quite a few layers of colour and has a lovely delicate grain that gives my prints a dreamy vintage style that people tendContinue reading “My favourite paper”

Blackbird Print

I have just finished a three colour reduction linocut print of a handsome blackbird. I handprinted a dozen, which is half of four and twenty (just like the English folk song. However, I would never, ever bake a bird into a pie. I’m a vegetarian) Apparently the ‘four calling birds’ in The Twelve Days ofContinue reading “Blackbird Print”

New Greeting Cards

I am very pleased with these new greeting cards. They are designs based on some of my most popular prints. I have been a bit cautious to begin with and I’ve just decided to buy cards of three of my designs first, to see how well they sell. I think they look gorgeous. At theContinue reading “New Greeting Cards”

Happy Hens

This is my latest reduction linocut print. The print idea, of some countryside chickens, was suggested by my hen loving cousin and titled by her two daughters. She requested a chicken themed print. Usually, I would never do a commission for a linocut, but I made an exception, especially for her. She’s had a badContinue reading “Happy Hens”

Fundraiser Reduction Print

I made a two colour reduction linocut to sell as a fundraiser for the Red Cross Ukraine crisis appeal. I have sold out now, but the money that was donated came to £410. A print was given to anyone who gave money to charity. My target was £300, but people were very generous. Thank youContinue reading “Fundraiser Reduction Print”