a printer
There are some of us that might say that we’re born creative and others that say you learn to become creative as you develop throughout your life. Either way, as creatives we’re constantly looking for different mediums in which to work with, design with and to create with. Printing is one such medium that you could say has been somewhat lost over the past few decades, with the introduction of modern digital media, but the likes of Olivia are bringing those old school printing skills back in her own special way.
Now, Olivia is relatively new to our shores, in fact she’s only been down here in Cornwall for around 18 months or so, but like a lot of us who moved down here, we all have fond memories of those past Cornish family holidays. They never leave us. Olivia did feel at some point in her life that she’d find herself down here one day. That was obviously helped along the way somewhat when her boyfriend got offered a job in Cornwall and sure enough, she followed.
Olivia’s creative mindset and background comes by way of a degree in Design Publishing out of Norwich University of the Arts. Today, she still enjoys that element of book design and her work associated with it but she now has an overwhelming love of printing and that’s where we find her now, printing away on her old school press.
“I came here camping every year with my dad prior to moving down and decided that Cornwall was the place for me at age 13”
I asked Olivia, why printing? “The smell of the ink and love of an old school process. We live in such a digital world that to produce a print with (usually) no technology necessary is what I love most about it. It's hand on and messy and feels great to get a bit of ink smeared on your face”. By the way, most of Olivias’ ink does find its way onto paper too….
The studio or space that Olivia works out of is tiny to say the least but it doesn’t stop her from producing some beautiful work which she is clearly very passionate about. What's the best part of printing then Olivia? “Ooo good question. Probably knowing that there are people out there who own my prints, who get just as much joy out of the process as me. I love lifting it off of the press to reveal how good the quality of print is”
The materials she uses, and these are her words here “Paper, paper, paper!” Those of us creatives that know a little about real paper, such as GF smith stocks, will know that there is a vast array and quality to choose from. These papers are selected by Olivia to give her final finish prints a unique feel and look.
We had a good chat when we first met and I remember Olivia saying to me how she felt extremely lucky to have made friends and felt at home here very quickly. We’re not only a creative bunch here but we welcome others into this lovely land that we all call home. We’re not lucky to live here at all, we chose to live here and by doing so we continue to get inspiration from the sea that surrounds us - the Cornish sea of course. Thank you once again Olivia for enlightening me into those old school printing practices you enjoy so well. RD
