I work from my studio in rural Northern Ireland using my Victorian cast iron press to print linocuts on Irish linen. I sew small pieces of vintage linen together by hand to create collages inspired by the countryside where I live along with the gardens and landscapes I see on my travels in Ireland and Britain.
I also produce greetings cards and domestic textiles.
I live on old farm with a large wild garden in County Down, Northern Ireland. I love living here and I am lucky to have my studio and workshop just across the yard.
I make hand stitched collages of my linocuts and woodcuts printed on Irish linen. These are inspired by the countryside where I live along with the gorgeous gardens and beautiful landscapes I see on my travels in Britain and Ireland. I print each small piece of linen individually. The finished collages are unique, one off pieces.
My mother taught me sewing and embroidery when I was a child and I still use these skills. I've always loved printmaking and have been making linocuts since I was in primary school!
My ‘Linen Prints’ are my linocut designs of trees, gardens and wildlife printed in black ink on unbleached Irish linen. I wholesale these and my greetings cards under the trading name ‘Algan Arts’. They are also available from my online shop.
I design my tea towels and zip bags using little linocut motifs inspired by plants in my garden.
I have a BA Hons from the Ulster College of Art and Design and a MFA from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Lousiana, USA. I’ve been a full time self employed printmaker since 1995.