…… and now time for a cup of tea and a giggle with Fan, who kindly took the pictures of me at work.

In my last contribution to the Two Rivers Trail blog I was excited about tulips in a jug. Inclement weather meant cutting lino in the kitchen and waiting for the belated Spring so I could get printing in the studio. Well, the days have happily been warmer (even if the nights here in north Broadland have been a bit nippy) so inks are now more amenable and 'ready to roll'!
Armed with a cup of coffee and not quite so many layers of clothing, I was off across the yard.
 
In my usual fashion, I mixed colours and printed in what is an apparently random and experimental way. I do have a plan but it's not always clear to anyone else, and I do diverge! This also means that I rarely print an edition (i.e. a limited number all the same and numbered accordingly). I know that's a printmaking tradition but it's not my thing. I like it when each print has its own atmosphere and development of the composition.
Here are some of the results from my recent engagement with tulips in a jug. Their lovely curvy shapes and celebration of spring will ensure I look again. Not my first or last tulip design.
 

I do hope you will visit our trail during Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios which is warming up nicely. Just under a month to go. 
Next weekend we have a stand in the Village Hall at the Horning Boat Show - 4th May- where you can pick up a brochure for NNOS, a trail map and an insight into our individual work.
The following Saturday 11th May we'll be at the Farmers' Market at the New Victory Hall in Neatishead , with a display and brochures for the county-wide event.
Come and meet us at either event.
 
We are a group who have a wide diversity of styles and media but enjoy and admire each other's work.
We'd love to share this with you.

Kit Calladine

'April is the cruellest month.......'. Oh no it isn't.
I love the lengthening days when the clocks have gone forward; primroses and daffodils all over the place, violets secretly getting on with it and all the finches in our garden and beyond auditioning for Gareth Malone!
 
However the studio across the yard is still a bit spartan, and so I've been drawing, tracing and cutting lino in the comfort of the kitchen; near the coffee and the biscuit tin.


(Let's hope supper has no lino shavings by way of flavourings.)
I've brought in some daffs from the garden in bud and also nipped down to the farm shop along the main road for tulips. I love their curves. You can draw them in continuous lines and develop lovely patterns.

In the cupboard next the pantry are jugs (various) and one I particularly like was given to me by Chris (youngest daughter's boyfriend). It's a practical shape and pretty, and just right for Spring flowers among other things.
 
So from notebook to lino come the tulips in a jug, abbreviated and developed but essentially what's sitting at the end of the kitchen bench.
 
Now, if we could have a day or two of slightly warmer weather so the inks will roll and I don't get frost bite........... I might be able to show you a proof or two.
 
Watch this space.......!!