Overview
Meet the force behind SouthSeaEyes Printmaking: a former finance analyst who, after a profound journey through corporate burnout and personal challenges, found solace and expression in the art of printmaking. This printmaker’s story is one of resilience and transformation, from the precision of spreadsheets to the creative freedom of inks and blocks, crafting a new path in the vibrant heart of Southsea.
2023. Oh, 2023. It marked a year of significant growth and engagement for Nusye’s (yes it’s me writing, but I felt like as this is an overview, it ought to be about the story and so maybe a third-person’s view, ok. Please bear with) SouthSeaEyes Printmaking Workshops, held at the vibrant and spacious and airy CourtX in Southsea, Hampshire, UK. Spanning from March to December, the workshops saw a surge in attendance, reflecting a growing interest and appreciation for the art of printmaking.
Key Highlights:
Consistent Workshop Engagement: The Year witnessed steady participation across several months – March, June, July, Spetember, October, November, December – showcasing the workshop’s appeal and the enduring enthusiasm of it’s attendees. (Thankyou).
Collaboration and Special Events:
April: A partnership with Dianna Djokey of Aspex Gallery and Portsmouth Museum led to a unique Holiday and Food Programme of blockprinting Easter-themed hand-carved blocks. Yes, I made cute blockprint bunnies as well as dinosaurs with easter eggs (Luna Park is a dinosaur creature associated with Aspex Gallery since 2011 – it is a stylised bronze statue at Southsea Common, after its orignal 11ft high dinosaur statue at the same address).
April also saw a significant milestone achieved when I was invited as a guest artist to exhibit at The Round Tower, an event organised by Hotwalls Studios. Anticipated to attract a modest footfall of around 200, the exhibition exceeded all expectations, running from 11 am to 4 pm, and drawing an impressive crowd of approximately 420 visitors. This remarkable turnout not only underscored the exhibition’s success but also highlighted the growing interest and appreciation for printmaking within the community.
June’s Communal Programme Involvement: In collaboration with Dianna Djokey and Ricardo Reveron Blanco, my workshop played a printmaking platform for the communal arts. held at the main Gallery. And Wow I loved the space we were allocated in that day! So beautiful!
November’s Sherlockian Themed Blockprinting: November saw me run two fully-booked bespoke workshop event at Portsmouth Museum, adding a literary twist to the printmaking experience. Yes of course research was undertaken of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself – and lo! Lucy Worsley was releasing her BBC iPlayer three-parter, “Killing Sherlock: On the Case of Conan Doyle”
Exhibitions at Yellow Edge Gallery: May and October were distinguished by exhibitions at Yellow Edge Gallery Gosport, showcasing the artistic outcomes of multiple artists. I loved sharing the space with talents, thinkers, doers, marketers and attendees of mini workshops! All lead by the phenomenal Kim Batterbury and her soulmate Mart. Thanks go to Irene Buggle for the use of the YE gallery as a platform.
Southsea Mini Art Trail inclusion: A notable achievement of Lynn Nicholls, Ally Ashworth and Maggie Ambler for their organisation of the Southsea Mini Art Trail at such speed. Well done for piqueing my interest sufficiently to saying ‘yes I’ll help organise’ (ha, thank you – I loved being invited). The invitation to participate in the Southsea Mini Art Trail and opening the house meant that I was able to invite and debut Laura Simpson of I Tell Amelia Art, a multi-disciplinary artist specialising in sustainable fabrics and natural dyes. This event marked a significant post-lockdown milestone for me. Thank you Laura for honouring me to bringing you forth to the artist path proper. I <3 you for this.
University of Portsmouth Library Atrium Exhibition: October through to December as the closing months of the year … I embraced the opportunity to participate in an exhibition at the UoP Library. This exhibition was dedicated to showcasing local artists with ties to the University. As an alumna, I was delighted to be part of it. In the spirit of collaboration and community, I reached out to Laura Simpson, an artist known for her methodical, serene approach and talent in the art world. Inviting Laura was not just about sharing the platform, it was a conscious effort to highlight the diverse and emerging artistic voices that enrich our local art scene.
Farewell to Veterans Outreach Support: The year also brought closure and heartfelt goodbye to a meaningful 2.5-year journey with the veterans’ Wellbeing group, concluding in October.
New Opportunities: The Staggeringly Good Christmas Market emerged as a new venue, replacing the annual Christmas Traders Keep, which unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the deteriorating conditions at The Round Tower, Hotwalls Studios.
Learning from Rejection: The application for the 2024 Winchester Print Fair was not succesful. While the response received – highlighting the high volume of applicatons versus limited space – did not provide specific feedback for improvement, it underscored the competitive nature of such events. This experience, while disappointing, offers a broader understanding of the selection dynamics and the importance of persistence in the printmaking arts.
Commissions: 2023 saw an insurgence in the demand for creation of hand-carved blocks for logos and icons for small businesses in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. These blocks are unique in their design and craftmanship, and are vesatile tools, usable on both paper and fabric. This adaptability makes them an invaluable asset for small businesses, offering a multi-use solution for branding. Each block is a product of heartfelt artistry, not only enlivens the brands they represent, but also stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and practicality of skilled craftmanship.
Overcoming Challenges
This year’s success is particularly poignant, considering the backdrop of personal challenges – the aftermath of the 2020 corporate burnout, the struggles during the pandemic, and the physical and emotional turmoil brought by the combination of depression, menopause, and anxiety.
Reflective Note:
As 2023 draws to a close, it is clear that each event, whether success or a setback, has contributed to a richer, more diverse printmaking journey for me. From celebrating new opportunities like the Staggeringly Good Christmas Market – to understanding the realities of competitive applications – every experience has been a step towards growth, and resilience. These moments not only reflect a journey in the art industry world, but also symbolise the continual process of learning, adapting, and thriving in both personal and professional spheres. Lucky for me, I am curious about what is next, and continues to press *ahem* ahead and – well, what else can a Nusye do but roll *cough cough* on?
Thank you, genuinely, for all the support you gave me.
Your thinker of best inking,
Nusye
