LinocutMemberPrintmakingSolo artist

Catherine Laura Ward

posted by POP Members February 3, 2025

Catherine Laura Ward is a linocut printmaker, based in East Anglia, UK. She discovered a love for lino printing and the bold designs and textures that can be created whilst studying a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art (Alumni 2022). “There is an unpredictability with the cutting and printing process of lino print, that if you allow yourself to fully let go, can be truly magically,” comments the printmaker.

Growing up on the North Norfolk Coast, and now living in the heart of Thetford Forest, Catherine is hugely inspired by the natural world around her. As an aspiring Children’s Book Author/Illustrator this is a huge inspiration, with themes of nature, the environment and history forming the foundation of her writing and illustration. Catherine loves to capture intimate moments and interactions between the characters that feature in her illustrations.

All of Catherine’s prints start off as an idea in her sketchbook. Observational drawing and drawing on location is the foundation to her practice. She notices shapes, colour, and texture, which she then uses to develop her lino prints. Catherine describes; “I love to work in a limited colour palette to heighten the mood and emotion of the illustrations”.

Stories from the Sea, a picture book that Catherine is developing for her portfolio, explores the history of our everyday words and phrases that have been inspired by our time at Sea. “Throughout history, the Sea has played a major role in exploration, country defences, and food gathering,” says Catherine. She and her partner used to have a sailing boat, and enjoyed exploring the Suffolk Coast. Sketches from these trips inspired the prints and the idea of the book. The illustrations have been hand printed and then coloured digitally.

Since having a baby last year, Catherine has implemented a creative approach to continue making work around the demands of parenthood. Inspired by children’s book end papers, she started making small stamps that she printed into repeat patterns. She tells us; “They started off as prints to decorate the nursery, but I enjoyed making them so much, I have continued and plan to make them into a calendar. Making small stamps means the carving and printing process can be broken down into small windows of time that can fit around a sleeping baby.”

@cathwardprints
catherinelauraward.com

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