News

Innovative prints inspired by the natural world

Jackie Curtis, Somerset based printmaker, will be exhibiting at Bridgwater Arts Centre, Thurs 4th Jan to Thurs 1st Feb 2024.
Jackie draws inspiration for her prints as she walks across the Levels and explores the South West Coast. Creating seascapes, landscapes and studies of birds. Finding movement in flight, crop lines, woodgrain and crashing waves. Incorporating colour and light through sunrise, sunset and moonrise. Reflecting the changes in trees and hedgerows as the seasons unfurl. Her artwork not only responds to the natural world it is often created outside, working through rain and shine or incorporating foraged materials.

The exhibition, at Bridgwater Arts Centre, Castle Street, Bridgwater TA6 3DD, will be open 10am - 3pm Mon to Fri. There is a preview evening on Thurs 4th Jan 6pm - 8pm and you can meet the artist 10am - 3pm on Sat 6th Jan.

SAW 2023

Somerset Art Weeks Open Studios 2023 16 September- 1 October
Somerset Open Studios returns for 2023! It’s the biennial opportunity for SAW Artist Members to open their studio doors to allow a glimpse into often-private spaces and workshops, alongside pop up venues, where audiences can meet the artist, see work in progress and visit the creative source.

My inky printmaking studio will be displaying a variety of original prints. These include innovative, one-off monoprints, often using foraged materials or wood veneers. Alongside my monoprints are some intricate linocuts with patterned designs and woodblocks that work with the natural shape, grain and flaws of wood. Through the year I have continued to work with self-adhesive foil and found materials to create prints which are rich in texture.

My work is inspired by the Somerset Levels and the countryside around me; night skies and the coast. Some of my work is created en plein air as I take inked plates out on my walks and I sometimes carry a printing press in the car.

The festival runs from 16 September- 1 October, my studio at 2 Greenfield Lane, Bawdrip, TA7 8PX will be open every day 10 – 5 (other times by appointment, please contact me). I will be on hand to discus and demonstrate different aspects of printmaking so please call in for a chat. More info about the overall event as a whole can be found on Somerset Art Works website including an interactive map and venue listings.

Open Studio

Winter Open Studio
My Studio will be open 10 & 11 Dec, 10 - 4 in the run up to Christmas. Please call in for a browse and a chat about printmaking!

A wide variety of original prints (framed and unframed), an extensive range of greeting cards and my calendar are all available.

At other times, or days, I can open by appointment please contact me.

SAW 2022

Somerset Art Weeks Festival 2022 24 Sept- 9 Oct
My inky printmaking studio will be displaying a variety of original prints. These include innovative, one-off monoprints, often using foraged materials or wood veneers with the blocks sometimes created outdoors. Alongside my monoprints are some intricate linocuts with patterned designs and woodblocks that work with the natural shape, grain and flaws of wood. Through the year I have experimented with self-adhesive foil and found materials to create prints including collections of pebbles and fossils.

My work is inspired by The Levels and the countryside around me; night skies and the coast. I am responding to this year’s theme ‘Sanctuary’ through ‘safety in numbers’ with murmurations, flocks, collections and roosts including a video compilation of my experiences watching the roosting starlings out on Avalon Marshes. Although a lot of my work features birds there will be a corner of the studio kept for some of my recent en plein air prints which often depicts the little Holloway in our village – a hidden world, a little sanctuary, which has remained a constant source of inspiration for me.

The festival runs from 24 Sept- 9 Oct, my studio at 2 Greenfield Lane, Bawdrip, TA7 8PX will be open every day 10 – 5 (other times by appointment, please contact me). I will be on hand to discus and demonstrate different aspects of printmaking so please call in for a chat. Look out for the SAW booklets in libraries, Tourist Information Centres etc. More info about the event as a whole can be found on Somerset Art Works website including an interactive map and venue listings.

Dark Skies Exhibition

Dark Skies Exhibition
I have created a series of moonrise prints for a Dark Skies Exhibition at Lanacre Barn in a Dark Skies Exhibition which is part of Exmoors’ annual Dark Sky Festival. My work will be alongside that of 20 other artists; 'A large and varied collection of artworks to awaken the senses, with over 70 works hanging, to inspire and delight'.

The exhibition runs from October 22nd to October 25th and is open from 10am – 6pm. Dogs and wellingtons included. Refreshments offered.

More info can be found here here

SAW 2021

Somerset Art Weeks 2021 Open Studios runs from September 18th – October 3rd and I will be open here in Bawdrip; one of 205 venues participating in the event.

This is a small, working, inky studio. Please contact me for an appointment so that I can ensure a comfortable experience tailored to your interests. I am flexible on times so evening or early morning appointments are available as well as daytime.

This is the first Open Studio since 2019. To give some insight into recent work here is a video I created which explores the inspiration and experiences behind my 2020 work. Watch this space for something similar regarding 2021!

More info about the event as a whole can be found on Somerset Art Works website including an interactive map and venue listings.

Levels Spirit

Exhibition in Musgrove Park Hospital
I have 5 woodblocks included in Levels Spirit exhibition which runs from 21 April 2021 – 20 July 2021 in The Musgrove Gallery at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton which has been curated by Geoffrey Bertram. He says 'the purpose of this exhibition is to provide glimpses into this world (of the Somerset Levels), to show something of those who live on and from the Levels as found in the work of artists who live there, whose art is inspired by what they see around them'.

More information about the exhibition can be found here

Original prints on display in Jane Armour Trading, Taunton

Original prints on display in Jane Armour Trading, Taunton
Jane Armour Trading in Taunton is now stocking some of my prints. Jane's wonderful card and gift shop has been stocking my cards for a little while and now has framed and browser work available.

More info

Contact - Lockdown exhibition at Princess Theatre, Burnham on Sea

Exhibition to Open in June 2021

In response to Burnham on Sea's Princess Theatres Lockdown exhibition call, Naomi Wilson of Holistic Essence and I decided to work together to produce a piece that represented our contrasting experiences through lockdown and the essential need for human contact.

I am used to working in isolation. In contrast it is vital to Naomi Wilson, a holistic therapist, to put her hands on another human and was unable to practice her therapies throughout lockdown. Naomi recently wrote "Touch" and how, during this time of social distancing, our five senses have been heightened and was a key theme in our work alongside our contrasting experiences. We have created a video which allows you to see more detail in our piece with the backdrop of word presented in audio.

Our piece, which is circa 50cm x 70cm, combines monoprinting, drawing, Zoom doodles and collage.

Initially the work will be presented digitally but will eventually translate to a physical exhibition in the gallery.

My Studio

Still here!
Hi - All is well here and I am still working in the studio from 1st June 2021 visits to the studio can be arranged aby appointment please contact me to see what is available.

You can see my current inspiration from our daily walks and progress on new work in my twitter feed




I do still have cards available and some unframed work.

If you are looking for anything in particular please contact me to see what is available.

Stay well and stay safe!

Monoprinting

Monoprinting classes
I run one day monoprinting classes in the studio. July 2020: At the moment I have postponed all workshops, but if you are interested please contact me and I will keep you updated as guidelines change. This is a fun workshop using everyday items such as leaves, feathers, nets etc held in my Somerset studio. Classes 10am to 4pm. Tea and coffee provided but you will need to bring your own lunch and please wear old clothes as it does get messy. If you are interested in the workshop please contact me. I can also run Collagraph workshops and offer demonstrations for art groups

Wings over Water book

Wings over Water book of printmaking
Delighted to have been invited to contribute to WINGS OVER WATER is a new and highly original collection of water bird-themed printmaking by 50 artists. Some 70 species of bird are featured, ranging from waders, through wildfowl to Kingfishers and seabirds. There are around 320 original prints reproduced in the book, with artists contributing wood engravings, linocuts, collagraphs, woodcuts, screenprints and etchings. Each bird is described, with information on habitat, conservation status etc. Artists provide their own commentary on the birds and the printmaking process. Some working drawings and blocks/plates are included. The 192-page hardback book is written, designed, produced, printed and published in Norfolk by Mascot Media

More information and how how to order this lovely book can be found here

Little Chicken Book

Some of my prints have been featured in the 'Little Chicken Book' published by Mascot Media.
Some of my linocuts and monoprints have been featured in the 'Little Chicken Book' published by Mascot Media. The book costing £12.95 is hardback with 168 pages and measures 15cm square and features 54 printmakers.

Really chuffed that my Companion print was used for the end plates of the book and one of my cockerels appears on the cover.

More information and how how to order this lovely book can be found here

Logo Design

Logo Design for Taunton Oak
I was delighted to have been asked to design a logo for Taunton Oak centred around a woodblock print taken from a piece of ash carefully selected and prepared by Otto at Taunton Oak.

LINOCUT CARDS & WRAPPING PAPER at CLAYHILL ARTS

Cancelled due to Lockdown

A HANDMADE CHRISTMAS:

LINOCUT CARDS WITH JACKIE CURTIS
LIBOCUT WRAPPING PAPER WITH JACKIE CURTIS

28 November & 29 November 2020

Join me Clayhill Arts just outside Bridgwater to create your very own linocut Christmas cards or wrapping paper. You will learn all the techniques required to carve your own Christmas design into a single coloured Lino block and the basics of linocut printing. Once you’ve completed your Christmas masterpiece you can take home the results.

Clayhill is a stunning location with beautiful views over open countryside; accommodation can provided with this course. For more information and to book please see their website LINOCUT CARDS and LINOCUT WRAPPING PAPER or email me via my contact page.

The Absent Gallery virtual interactive exhibition 'Lockdown'

Delighted to have work accepted for this exciting exhibition.
The Absent Gallery invited submissions from artists, predominantly based in Somerset, to take part in our premier Open Exhibition. The theme of this exhibition is as the title suggests, LOCKDOWN, following the outbreak of Coronavirus.
Entries were to reflect and interpret this theme in a multitude of ways. Whether it is how the artist’s response to lockdown has influenced or inspired their working practice, or simply work that the artist started or completed over lockdown. Artists were also invited to consider work that reflects upon opportunities lost or gained and asked the question, what comes next now that lockdown is relaxed?

Over 100 pieces of artwork were selected from 25 artists and professionally curated for this virtual interactive exhibition.

Work accepted for SWLA Natural Eye

Delighted that two pieces have been accepted for Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) 56th Annual Exhibition, 'The Natural Eye 2019'
The Natural Eye 2019 | Society of Wildlife Artists Annual Exhibition opens on Thursday 24 October and runs to Sunday 3 November 2019 at Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1

Two linocuts 'Dragonflies' and 'The Energy of Starlings' have been accepted for this exhibition

More info can be found here

REEDBEDS AND WATERWAYS

Somerset Rural Life Museum exhibition of artworks celebrating landscapes and wildlife
An exhibition of artworks by printmaker Jackie Curtis celebrating the landscapes and wildlife of the Somerset Levels. This exhibition brings together artworks by the printmaker Jackie Curtis, produced in response to the landscapes and wildlife of the Somerset Levels. The exhibition opened in the Museum of Somerset and is now moving to the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury Saturday, 16th November 2019 - Saturday, 18th January 2020, 10:00 - 5:00

More info can be found here

REEDBEDS AND WATERWAYS

Somerset Museum exhibition of artworks celebrating landscapes and wildlife
An exhibition of artworks by printmaker Jackie Curtis celebrating the landscapes and wildlife of the Somerset Levels. This exhibition brings together artworks by the printmaker Jackie Curtis, produced in response to the landscapes and wildlife of the Somerset Levels. The Museum of Somerset Saturday, 27th July 2019 - Saturday, 7th September 2019, 10:00 - 5:00
Reedbeds and Waterways is part of a summer of exhibitions, events and activities at the Museum of Somerset where visitors can explore more about the natural world #WildSomerset
More info can be found here

JOHN LEACH'S MUCHELNEY POTTERY GALLERY

Christmas Exhibition
I am delighted to say that I have been invited back to exhibit work in the John Leach Pottery Gallery at Muchelney one of 5 artists taking part in their Christmas exhibition. Details of the venue and opening times can be found at John Leach Facebook page

Venue 130 Somerset Art Weeks 2019

Venue 130 Somerset Art Weeks 2019
Printmaker Jackie Curtis creates bold woodblocks, intricate linocuts & spontaneous monoprints with innovative use of woodgrain. Inspired by the natural world & birdlife this exhibition charts the ever-changing landscape and wildlife of Somerset.

21 Sept - 6 Oct open daily 9.30am - 5.30pm

2 Greenfield Lane, Bawdrip, TA7 8PX just a few minutes from J23 of M5. 01278 685911 jcurtisart@btinternet.com

More info about Somerset Art Weeks Festival and online version of the guide can be found here

BRITISH WILDLIFE OPEN

Work selected for BRITISH WILDLIFE OPEN
Delighted to have this linocut selected for BRITISH WILDLIFE OPEN exhibition held at ACE Arts in Somerton in partnership with Somerset Wildlife Trust. Exhibition runs until Nov 3rd

Over several months I observed, sketched and photographed this gnarled pollard willow stump which is in a rhyne on the levels near us. A route marker for egret, buzzard, kestrel and heron who I saw perched on or beside the tree. I was drawn to the cracks in the bark; the man made saw cuts and cross sections of wood; the shapes of the fungi and the random grasses that grew from cracks. The patterns of the buzzard’s feathers had similarities with that of the bark so that the buzzard extends from the tree in contrast to the smoother white egret standing in the foreground.

Simonsbath

Simonsbath - exhibition of printmaking
It was an honour to be invited to exhibit alongside some gifted printmakers in the 2018 Simonsbath Festival Art Exhibition which ran from 12th May - 28th May,

Time and Tide Bell ~ 200Fish

A Continuing Arts Programme facing Lincolnshire's Coast
#200Fish is a community project to create works of art based on each of the species of fish found in the North Sea. The objective is to raise awareness of the biodiversity of the North Sea.

There are about 200 species of fish native to the North Sea. This project is to record their existence through works of art. Mindful of the threats to the marine environment, global warming, ocean acidification, pollution, over-fishing and so on, we are inviting a large number of artists each to pick one of the fish species and produce a painting or other art-work therefrom.

My fish is Fish #148 Black Seabream Spondyliosoma cantharu.

My images and some narrative to explain why I selected this fish can be found here

The first art exhibition at the new North Sea Observatory, on the Lincolnshire coast at Chapel Point, opens on Thursday 23rd August, staged by Lincolnshire Time and Tide Bell Community Interest Company and Blue Fish is included in the exhibition

Fifty Bees

I am delighted to be invited to contribute to this project.
I was delighted to be invited to contribute to the Fifty Bees exhibition.

Lydia Needle has created fifty beautiful lifelike species of bees in felt, displayed in delightful compact boxes. These bees are the basis of this year’s FIFTYBEES exhibition. Shown alongside them at RJ Museum Swindon will be the 50 other companion artworks created by 50 other artists (and I am one of them). The preview evening is 1st June from 7-9 and then the exhibition is open most days until 24th June.

My bee was Geoffroy's Blood Bee. My bee likes open habitats and among the various plants it visits are umbellifers which I love to use in my printmaking. I therefore wanted to create an image that incorporated the umbellifers and I was drawn to the tangle of shapes that I found at the edge of fields and beside hedgerows on my walks.

The exhibition has also been on display at For Every Cloud in Langport until 1st Sept

Exhibition at Bridgwater Arts Centre

Ink Ways a journey in printmaking
This exhibition travels along Somerset’s pathways and time trodden lanes, exploring waterways and rhynes and following birds as they weave across the sky before congregating on the Levels. The journey is illustrated through a variety of printmaking techniques from spontaneous innovative monoprints to intricate stylised linocuts and bold woodblocks that build on the natural grain and shape of the wood.

Stop Press!! Meet the Artist on Sat June 16 from 10am - 3pm

More info about the Arts Centre available here

Somerset Levels and Exhibition of Printmaking

Somerset Levels an Exhibition of Printmaking Donna Vale and Jackie Curtis at For Every Cloud, Langport
Stop Press! Now open on 2nd Dec 10 - 6pm - come and meet the artists that day!

Following the success of The Murmuration and Flight Exhibitions I am delighted to be invited to participate in this joint exhibition which opens on 3rd Nov

Taunton Live Paintathon

Artist Jackie Curtis won the Taunton Live Paintathon held on Thurs 27th July 2017
I was delighted to win first prize in Taunton Live'sPaintathon. I produced Collagraph blocks on the pavement in Taunton Live (despite rain and wind). They were reversed with the help of tracing paper and a mirror. The hand pressed prints produced on the day unfortunately lacked definition; but they were put through the press later and tweaked to
produce a short edition of 5 prints.

Wildlife Watch

Printmaking article in Wildlife Watch
I am proud to say that an article about my printmaking has been published in the Spring 16 Wildlife Watch magazine for the junior branch of the Wildlife Trusts.

Quartz

Visual Arts @ Quartz for 2016
Delighted that my print the Flock is shown on the cover of Quartz programme

The exhibition has now moved to December

Outside In

Friday 16 to Thursday 22 December, 11am – 5pm daily

Queens College Taunton

More info here...

Divas Cafe

Exhibiting at Divas cafe at Black Swan Arts in Frome
A selection of my printmaking was on display at Divas Cafe in Black Swan Arts in Frome during May/June 2016. The cafe is a lovely venue and serves fabulous lunches. Black Swan Arts includes an Art Gallery with Cafe, Shop and Studios.

More info is available athere

Jacksons' Prize Shortlist

Kilve featured in the Jackson's Prize Shortlist
I am very proud that my woodblock of Kilve beach made the Jacksons' Prize shortlist. The competition had 3100 entries and my woodblock print was one of the final 54 selected for the shortlist. Although I wasn't a prize winner I think it was a great achievement to make the shortlist.

Kilve - measures circa 90cm long and was based on a winter's day walk on the beach

The shortlist can be foundhere

Flight - A celebration of birds through art

Flight exhibition with Donna Vale
After the success of the Murmuration exhibition last year I was delighted to be exhibiting with Donna Vale in a mixed media exhibition at For Every Cloud in Langport

John Leach Gallery, Muchelney Christmas Exhibition

Exhibiting at John Leach Gallery - Muchelney
Really pleased to be exhibiting at John Leach Gallery - Muchelney as part of their Christmas Exhibition. It is a beautiful family run venue set in the heart of the Somerset Levels.
The exhibition runs from 7th Nov to 2nd Feb
For more info and opening times see John Leach Gallery

The Artist Magazine

Winner of Charity Christmas Greetings competition
Bawdrip artist Jackie Curtis was delighted to have won the Charity Christmas Greetings competition run by Painters Online (www.painters-online.co.uk). The winning entry was featured in the January issue of the Artist Magazine and £200 was donated to a charity of her choice – Macmillan Cancer Support. The winning Image – ‘Swans’ is a Monoprint created using veneers, leather, grasses and other dried plants.

Copper Gold Exhibition

Exhibiting at Sugar Cube Gallery, Hambridge
Copper Gold - an exhibition of printmaking by Jackie Curtis has opened at The Sugar Cube Gallery in Hambridge. Copper gold colours of autumn & early winter flow though prints inspired by Somerset and the sea.

It is the 8th exhibition at the Sugar Cube Gallery that started out life in the summer of 2014 in the foyer space of Teapot Creative a design & digital marketing agency based in Bowdens Farm Hambridge.

To quote their website their aim has been simple – 'to offer a place for local artists, sculptors, photographers to show their work in a friendly, eclectic environment. The gallery is open Monday – Friday from 9am – 4pm. It’s not huge, in fact it’s tiny so don’t come expecting to spend long but If you’re interested in the burgeoning local art scene here in our part of the South West then pop by as one thing the Sugar Cube always offers is art that’s well worth the visit!'

An interview with Sugar Cube can be found here

Murmuration

Murmuration Exhibition at Langport March 2015
Had a fabulous time contributing to a wonderful exhibition ‘Murmuration’ at For every Cloud Gallery, which featured three local artists: Donna Vale, Jackie Curtis and Matthew Bjerregaard with work across a variety of mediums from woodblock prints to decorative lampshades.

Donna says: 'The mumuration of starlings is a local natural attraction on the RSPB site at Ham Wall and Natural England’s Shapwick Heath. Every morning and evening these small birds can be seen doing ariel acrobatics,
dodging birds of pray in a spectacular formation'

Solo exhibition

My First Solo Exhibition was at Bridgwater Arts Centre 2nd – 26th April 2014
My First Solo Exhibition was at Bridgwater Arts Centre 2nd – 26th April 2014

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Printmaking by Jackie Curtis

'Spring arrives and the birds begin to sing. The gallery will be full of vibrant and innovative printmaking by Jackie Curtis showing her love of birds and the Somerset countryside'

It was fantastic fun - thank you to everyone that visited and helped make it such a special event

Exhibition at Radstock

Solo exhibition at Victoria Hall Radstock
Following a successful exhibition ‘Birds of a Feather’ in Bridgwater earlier this year Jackie was delighted to be invited to exhibit at Victoria Hall, Radstock. Jackie’s exhibition: ‘A Printmaker in Somerset’ is inspired by Somerset land, sea and townscapes as well as a fascination with birds. This evocative exhibition is a journey in printmaking from soft gentle monoprints, into the textures of collagraphs, through intricate linocuts to powerful woodblocks. The exhibition runs from November 27th to December 18th 2014. For more information about the venue please see Victoria Hall

The 'Enormous Woodblock'

This enormous woodblock was a real challenge
This woodblock is the largest piece of printmaking I have achieved yet. It is cut from a piece of Sycamore nearly 1m long and would only just fit in the press. The image is built from themes in two other 'Flock' woodblocks with willow trees and the levels built into the image

Fisherman

Steps to produce 'Fisherman' one of my latest reduction prints. A reduction print is produced in stages, with more lino taken out of the printing block with each layer that is printed so there is no going back!
'Fisherman' one of my latest reduction prints.

A reduction print is produced in stages, with more lino taken out of the printing block with each layer that is printed so there is no going back!

John Leach Gallery Summer Exhibition

Summer Exhibition at John Leach Gallery Muchelney
In 2011 I was lucky enough to be selected as one of four artists that featured in the John Leach Gallery at Muchelney Pottery Summer Exhibition that ran from 2 July - 6 September 2011. It was a great experience in a fantastic gallery. The team at the gallery were just brilliant.