From Tipi to Print Studio

Prior to receiving a grant from Creative UK, my search for a studio in Northumberland had stalled. Creative spaces near my home in Morpeth were at capacity or designed for rent to retailers. The lack of a studio space was becoming a barrier to expanding my screenprint collection; I’d outgrown the kitchen table and materials rested in storage.

The investment from Creative UK supported me to

test a model of temporary studio hire in Northumberland and create new artwork inspired by the unique landscape.

In October 2022, I hired creative space in Shilbottle (Creatively Conscious), Felton (Gallery 45) and North Broomhill (The Old Bath House), plus desk hire in Morpeth with November Club. It created a valuable opportunity to network with other creatives in the county.

From tipi to office, via two print studios

Daily studio hire enabled me to access suitable and affordable studios on the specific days I worked. Sole use of screenprinting equipment for a day was also invaluable.

The variety suited the different work I was doing each day and each had a wonderful atmosphere.

Combining sketching outdoors with an afternoon warmed by a log burner was magic. As Claire Venus from Creatively Conscious puts it “the tipi is like outside inside”

I felt part of a community of creatives

A welcome reconnection with the arts sector after maternity leave. I forged links with artists I’d never met before and invested time with people I knew well. In part due to visiting creative spaces at people’s homes and larger gallery, studio or office buildings that bring people together.

Travelling to each studio gave me the freedom to visit locations nearby as inspiration for new drawings

I created a series of plein air sketches of Alnmouth, which became refined drawings and mono-screenprints back in the studios. Wrapped up in thermals and a with a flask of hot coffee, working outdoors in Autumn wasn’t as chilly as I’d imagined!

Understandably, more admin time was spent on logistics and I carried my materials with me each day. The transience I experienced made difficult to create a screenprint using my usual process. I improvised to create a couple of mono-screenprints that gave me a rough idea of the colours, composition and a method for printing visually interesting skyscapes.

Studio holders reflected on the benefit to their practice of income generation and many intend to continue hiring out their studios. Ellie Davidson-Archer commented: “I would definitely consider more solo studio hires and find it sustainable.

“It makes sense that other artists could utilise the space and equipment, as well as creating additional income that would go towards covering rent or utilities.”

For me, it’s highlighted the significant benefits to hiring a studio in Northumberland on a daily or temporary basis. The Creative UK grant has been a brilliant way to test a the viability of this idea. Now, I’m really excited to now be planning to hire creative space(s) in Northumberland on a daily basis in 2023, in order to continue to develop creative network and create a new series of Northumbrian landscape prints.

With thanks to North of Tyne Cultural and Creative Investment Programme and Creative UK.

North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme
North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme offers a combined package of financial and business support. It is open to freelancers and businesses working in the culture and creative industries in North Tyneside, Northumberland and Newcastle. The programme is delivered by Creative UK and is funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority. wearecreative.uk/northoftyne