Gill Thompson

Gill Thompson

My printmaking is essentially experimental and influenced by the rugged coastal landscape of the Western Isles of Scotland. In this latest body of work, created during the recent lockdown, I have used collagraph printmaking to interpret what I see through the process of mark-making, building up textures and layers to make printing plates which reflect my vision. The impact of wind and tide, rain and sun constantly moulds and shapes the land, creating a fascinating array of ever changing patterns, colours and organic forms. I am drawn by the meeting of borders - natural and manmade, the contours and sculptural shapes and the juxtaposition of water, rock, sand, fences and other boundaries. My artwork aims to capture the complexity of this detail in print.

Gill studied at the University of North Carolina USA, Hereford College of Art  and with artist Cecily Sash in Wales. More recently she has focussed on aspects of printmaking, taking classes at the Print Shed in Hereford and at the Highland Print Studio in Inverness. She now works and teaches from her studio on the Isle of Lewis. Gill works in a variety of media, combining different printmaking techniques, painting, drawing, collage and bookmaking.