Blue Wall
The river Dart leading up water from Dartmouth to Totnes has some crumbling walls along parts of the banks. It is believed that these walls were built to improve the navigation up water to the port of Totnes. The walls were built by French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic wars. Where the walls have crumbled the river has encroached bringing with it the rebirth of the Saltmarshes to specific spots. Some believe the wall should be repaired, others believe Nature should take her course. In this work I felt I could see the faces of the men who had worked along the river.
The Bioregional project that has developed the Saltmarsh project has totally enthralled me. I have work from gel prints of reed bed leaves to produce some linocuts, used sketches and drone footage as sources of inspiration.I am using a small studio based hand press and water based inks. The blue here is based on the horizon blue that the French soldiers may have worn.
I have added some extra images here to let you see my simple process.
On this print I have used Kozo select paper from the Japanese Awagami factory and I am very happy with the outcome.
- Water based printing ink on Awagami paper
- Original artwork mounted. Original size: 320mm x 200mm
- Printed in March 2024
- Signed on reverse
- Mount and back board
- Free shipping and insurance included