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University of Central Lancashire   2006/2007

Catriona Stamp

Catriona Stamp makes artists books, using either desk-top publishing or traditional print media. One of her recurrent themes is a concern and love for the natural environment.

In 2006 Catriona Stamp received a grant from Arts Council England to produce a book about beach litter, completed in December. The book (edition of 3, plus additional framed prints) included 10 written pieces (poems, quotes) as well as 10 collagraphs which she produced at UCLAN via the AA2A scheme.

The collagraph plates for ‘Beach Findings’ were made using natural and man-made materials found on the beaches round Morecambe Bay. They were designed in response to the visual environment, and to the talks she had with Beach Care volunteers. Many of the prints also incorporated chin colle, using images scanned from the litter and printed onto thin Japanese papers with archival inkjet ink. She also made use of Hartill’s rubbing technique. In addition, after the book was complete, she pursued the theme of beach litter in other print media – soft-ground etching - an unanticipated direction.

Catriona Stamp said, “I could not have managed to complete the book project without the additional time in the print room which was provided by AA2A. The scheme required me to commit more of my time to print, which enabled me to develop my skills in collagraph and soft-ground etching. The scheme was invaluable in giving me opportunities to look at and discuss ongoing artwork with artists and students, and to share my experience of book making. This has increased my confidence enormously.”

The resulting book, ‘Beach Findings’, the framed collagraphs, and soft-ground etchings have been exhibited in various combinations in several venues – a university, a gallery, a community music venue, a library, a book fair - with more to come through 2007/8.