Craving something tangible away from the computer screen, Emily discovered the traditional printing process of letterpress. The journey started out with a little hand operated printing press, and over the years grew to collecting heavier, bigger presses. The letterpress process allows for super fine details to be printed with crisp details, with an impression you can feel under your fingertips. It's perfect way to translate all the tiny hand drawn details in my artwork, intricate details that draw viewers in, to look a little closer. The printing press is hand fed, one sheet at a time, and some are treadle operated, which adds a slowness, making the process like a meditation. Years of travelling to far flung places, collecting inspiration from many different cultures and experiences all comes through in my designs. Like offerings from far away lands to inspire hearts. Artworks from journals drawn in on long train rides, or the passenger seat of a campervan became printing plates, and became an exhibition of my first batch of art prints.
The luxurious quality of letterpress on cotton papers meant being swept up in many years of creating beautiful, intricate hand drawn details to be pressed into wedding invitations for lovers all over the world. Sought after for couples wanting the bohemian luxe style that the studio is now known for, to translate the experience of a destination wedding to guests. Art for everyday stationery designs like greeting cards, has always been my work. Creating paper products which can hold the space for so many love notes, words to marks life's celebrations, and space to write down words of love and gratitude, and which are posted through the mail, all over the world is a huge honour.
With the move away from the city to Margaret River, art has once again called me back to create new works inspired by this beautiful region I'm lucky enough to now call home. The backpack of travel notebooks has been kept safe whilst roots into the earth are planted. Art prints have always woven through my years of letterpress and design adventures, and I'm excited to share a new collection with the Open Studios. Large prints combine processes of screen printing and traditional block printing, as well as letterpress and hot foil for smaller works.
THE LITTLE PRESS flagship store is on Margaret River main street, where you can see a beautiful 110 year old treadle press in action over the Open Studios period.