When the Painting Becomes a Print

A customer recently said how well my paintings translate to print, and it made me wonder what makes a successful reproduction.

At their best, prints can be purely decorative and colourful, or like mine, have a strong narrative that invites the viewer in.

But it is not just about the storytelling and the quality of the reproduction; I think it is really important for the artist to be in control of the whole process. I photograph all my work and edit each piece in Lightroom, ensuring that the depth of colour and tonal range are accurate and the reproduction of the many layers of texture and leaf creates an exciting, lively surface. They end up not being copies of the painting but prints in their own right. 

I've been producing my own prints and cards for thirty years, believing passionately that my images should exist beyond the original painting.

'There is a unique texture to your work, and also a certain luminescence which comes out so well, even as prints. Often, I sense that some of the magic is lost when prints are made, but it is not so with your work - the magic remains. Your books are like magic portals.'

— Jenny, Facebook follower

If you've ever wondered whether a print could give you the same feeling as standing in front of an original, I'd say: it can come remarkably close and maybe even become something else.