Sailfish

By Nat Morley
 
Variable edition block print (using lino tools)
Original artwork
Size of work:
Image: H: 100 x W: 50cm
Framed: H: 120cm x W: 70cm

Nat's work reflects a passionate interest in the natural world. 
 
She prints each print by hand, individually, one at a time, and spends a great deal of time and care getting the colours and the details just right. In this case, we see the energy and vibrancy of the Sailfish, the fastest fish in the world whose name derives from its massive sail-like dorsal fin.
 
There is always a joyous mix of movement and pattern in Nat's work. Her animal studies are as much about her reverence for each creature and its habitat as about the design elements they offer. 
 
"I love the boldness of this medium. It’s quite graphic – never wishy-washy – which appeals to me and I think helps generate a feeling of vitality in the designs
 
"Most of my prints involve more than one stage of printing. Many of them are printed with an underlying light shade and a darker shade on the top which gives a two tone effect and a bit of depth to what is otherwise a very flat medium.
 
"This is achieved by painstakingly wiping away areas off the block after it has been inked up with the darker colour. I then have to place it precisely on top of a light print, a process called registration. Then I flip the block and print over together so the paper is on top of the block as I print with a marvellously technical piece of equipment – a spoon! I literally rub on top of the paper really hard. Often th