Gillian Swaile

Gillian is a Scottish printmaker & artist living in Northumberland National Park. Working in her home studio, she mainly produces linocut prints, but also makes monoprints and cyanotypes. Her inspiration comes from the wildlife and dark skies that surround her.

I am originally from Carnoustie in Angus, but moved to Northumberland with my husband in 2003. I enjoyed art from an early age and all through school, but couldn’t pursue it as a career back then.  For 25 years I worked in a variety of roles within the veterinary sector, before realising I needed a complete change of direction. I decided to follow my heart and become a self taught, self employed, printmaker. I enjoy different forms of printmaking, but I predominantly produce linocut prints. I work with traditional hessian backed linoleum and hand tools, called gouges, to carve designs onto the lino. I apply oil based ink onto the carved surface with a roller, the final image being made by the uncarved, raised areas (relief print). I work from a small studio at home and am also a studio member of Northern Print in Newcastle.
I am lucky enough to live rurally, in a designated dark skies area. My work is inspired by the celestial bodies above me, and the ample wildlife that surrounds me. I am particularly interested in the hare, and the folklore that surrounds it. I was asked to illustrate a book of short stories, “Rain Hare”, by the author Anna Barker, which was published in 2022. I participate in member exhibitions at Northern Print, and recently had my first solo exhibition, “Lepus - A Printmaker’s Celebration of the Hare”, at Allendale Forge in Northumberland. 

You can find out more about Gillian on her website and instagram