How do you describe what you do?
I am an artist, designer and visual magician.
At the Makerspace the medium that I focus on is Linocutting so in that sense, I am a printmaker. I also consider myself an illustrator as well, as I make a lot of hand drawn pieces. I’m passionate about healing, and exploring how we find and dance with this idea of ‘well-being’ and how we can reclaim our wild creativity. I focus particularly on women reclaiming their power and releasing the ‘good girl’ and ‘people pleasing’ conditioning that so many have received, myself included. Therefore my work is simultaneously very personal and speaking for a collective. I find that my audience deeply resonates and connects with it; it makes them feel seen.
How did you start in art / design?
Being born, I think!! Creativity has been a thread through my whole life and something that has always been present and important for me. As a child I used to simply ‘decide’ that I was going to write a book or design a cover for a tape cassette, and I’d sit down and do it. I had no fear or self doubt - that came later. I have quite a lot of examples of those objects that I’d intuitively create, which I love - to me they are reminders of that uninhibited creativity; I call them creative breadcrumbs as they take me back to that fearless place.
In terms of the method of Lino-cutting, it is a relatively recent adventure. At the beginning of 2023 I put on my vision board that I wanted to experiment with some hands on printing techniques. I’d already moved more towards a hand crafted approach rather than fully digital (which had been sold to me as the ‘sensible’ choice and then my career had dictated it) by making a lot more pen and ink art, but I wanted to get messy. I did a linocut workshop in France in May 2023 and I knew I had opened up a whole new world…
What makes your work and/or process unique?
The combination of curiosity and play, mixed with my unique life experience and things that I’m passionate about. The images that I carve and then print are powerful to me, laced with meaning and reminders of the journey that I’ve been on. If someone else created them, they’d be gorgeous in a different way and with a different energy - I know that no one else would or could make anything quite like me and that feels exciting - I want everyone to feel that. My magic is that I’ve (almost) stopped doing what I think I should (sometimes still get caught out) and generally I explore what I know is nourishing to me.
In terms of the physical process, I experiment. I’m not afraid to cut a Lino up and play with multiple colours or ‘options’ - I have one carving that has 3 different facial expressions that I can slot in when I print her. I’m also really curious about layering and the effects of that, the way it makes a new story with the different colours and the new shapes that are created.
I love challenging myself to think sustainably and innovatively about how else I can print my designs - not everyone wants paper prints - so I am currently printing onto reclaimed (second hand) t-shirts and foraged driftwood as well as eco journals and greetings cards. I’m always wondering how my prints could work on different surfaces… there’s a potential collaboration in the works with some of the ceramists.
What other artists or makers do you admire? Why?
I admire anyone who makes truly heart led art. There are mediums and styles that I love - bold and graphic with a lot of texture - but there’s something about work that is a ‘calling’, something that ‘absolutely had to be made even though it makes no sense’ that has a magnetic energy.
To do that is vulnerable, and real, and sometimes risky. For me it creates a full body experience rather than just a visual one.
When you have the dreaded creative block, where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
My go to is to get out of my head and into my body (not always easy). To dance or run or stretch, to step away until inspiration strikes again.
I have strong rhythm to my days which includes exercise or movement, nourishing food and time outside - I find if that slips my creativity can get stagnant so it’s a reminder to get back on track with my living and eating habits.
I also know that a lot of my personal inspiration is my past experiences, so sometimes it’s looking through old things and photos or a therapy session that can open up a whole new avenue.
What piece of work or project are you most proud of?
To date it has to be Sacred Rest. She’s the one who helped me turn a corner and know that I could explore detail, that I was capable with the carving tools. When I looked at my drawing that I was carving I thought ‘Wow, I might have given myself too much here’ but I was wrong and I totally loved carving her. She was also the first one that I experimented with carving a second layer to sit underneath and add more dimensions to the print and I love the outcome.
The carve for the top layer took about 30 hours - well worth it.
Any books on your shelf or exhibitions and events coming up you can recommend?
I love art trails where you get to meet local makers and see the context they were made it, there’s a great one in Wivenhoe. Likewise with open studio events; I’m so inspired by the people behind the art as well as the art itself.
Why is Colchester Makerspace important to you/or and your work?
The Makerspace has been integral to my growth this year. As I mentioned earlier, I have been self employed for 10 years and, although within that I do work within different teams with my clients, to have a community space to go to and interact with other like-minded people has been life-changing. To have no expectations or deadlines, to be able to go with my headphones on and be focused or to get lost in amazing conversations with whoever is there that day - all of it is welcome and I so appreciate that.
Fun Fact!
I was in an earthquake in Nepal in 2015 which sparked another creative journey: thecountrythatshook. I’m an advocate for creative and empowering menstrual health education and after working in Nepal for 7 years, I published a book in 2022 in collaboration with 80 young Nepali people. Kumari and her moon cycle.
Sophie’s work will be on display and available to buy for the month of November at Patch in front of the Makerspace at Trinity Works.
Below is Sophie’s socials where you can see more of her pieces and contact her with any interest of purchasing!