New Winterbourne lino

Inspired directly by the famous Kelmscot Manor image, I am now about to start cutting the next lino in the Winterbourne series. this one will serve as an introduction to the story. The honeysuckle border design is taken directly from the plasterwork on the hall ceiling.The flower was a symbol of happiness and protection for the home.

Nettlefold Courts print - first proof

I finally got to the stage I could proof the print.

Wightwick Manor

I finally got round to visiting Wightwick Manor - what a feast of Arts and Crafts it was! Much more extensive than I was expecting and full to bursting with textiles, paintings and ceramics by Morris and Co and William De Morgan. The newly opened Malt House Gallery houses an exhibition featuring Willliam and Evelyn De Morgan.

Nettlefold Courts

I'm now starting the next lino in the Winterbourne series. This one looks at John's work as Chairman of Birmingham Housing Committee. He gave a lecture in 1906 about the work of the Housing Committee and their efforts to improve the lot of those living in back-to-back housing. He was an advocate of opening up the enclosed 'courts' by removing one side of the square buildings. This allowed light and air into the homes as well as proper drainage. This upgraded housing became known as 'Nettlefold Courts'.

I am using the existing 'Back to Backs' in Hurst Street, run by the National Trust, as my visual reference, as well as contemporary photos of slum housing in Birmingham..

The border design will be taken from wallpapers that were found when the NT renovated the Hurst Street houses. Layers of papers have been dated and attributed to the specific families that lived in the houses at the time.

I particularly like the one above that was from about 1880 (Gardner Family). It looks like a camillia or similar and would work well as a border design.

John's clothes and pose are taken from production stills from 'Ripper Street' .