I am an artist and print-maker based in North Devon. Through a focus on seascapes and landscapes as familiar and recognisable access points, I draw on light, colour, movement and a representation of senses being stimulated to explore capturing transient feelings of wonder and awe subconsciously experienced in the natural world. My main focus is to create a sense of permanence to passing moments in an attempt to hold onto the uplift stimulated by moments I witness and be able to revisit them and share the sense of positivity and hope that they give me.
I habitually photograph moments which celebrate beauty in the ordinary, moments that can be too quickly forgotten. These photographic references form the starting point for my work, alongside influence by authors including Robert Macfarlane and Roger Deakin who explain human experience of the natural world highlighting our need for access to the positivity these environments impart.
Layering light, water, movement, reflection, contrast, shadow, mark-making and colour I build up my artwork which often evolves from painted sketches or charcoal drawings to mono printed screen prints for the final pieces allowing layering of colour and mark-making to become a literal element of my artworks.
I studied Fine Art at Plymouth University and a Foundation in Graphic Design at UAL, supplemented by print-making at Spike Print Studio, Bristol and Double Elephant, Exeter where I am an active print member.
The print process
Tushka works in a variety of methods to produce her prints. Many are hand screen printed in her own studio after exposing the screens at Double Elephant print studio or Spike Print Studio.
For her newer work, she experiments with mark making on transparent film, building up layers of print over a base layer print from a quick sketch. She then monoprints to give freedom of colour and sense of movement to the prints.
For other prints she meticulously draws each colour layer onto drafting film for many of her prints which she combines with print techniques such as mono printing and repeatedly using gradients in her screen prints. Other work, including the WaveProject stencil series are printed with hand cut paper stencils.
Her giclée prints, such as the Rorschach series, are created by hand drawn layers of tracing paper which are scanned in and overlaid to give the final prints.
Exhibitions
Burton Gallery - Annual Open Exhibition, Group show Spring 2023, 2024 & 202
Naked salon and studio, Bideford - Solo show of current work
London House Studio Gallery, Bideford - Ongoing exhibition of selected prints
Hand:Plant, Ilfracombe - Ongoing exhibition of selected prints
Wild Thyme, Braunton - Ongoing exhibition of selected prints
The Print Open - Studio Kind, Group show Summer 2023
Independent shows, The Waiting Room gallery, Ilfracombe May 2023 & 2023
Backgroud
After studying Fine Art and English (Plymouth University Faculty of Arts) and Graphic Design (University of the Arts London), she has worked as a printmaker for six years in her studio alongside printing at Double Elephant print studio (Exeter) and Spike print studio (Bristol).
If you would like to get in touch regarding any projects or collaborations, or if you have any questions please email me using the contact form.