Meet the Maker: Jasmine at Skyfyre Studio

Posted on 17th May 2021

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What is it you do, and how did you get into it?

I am an independent illustrator and printmaker from just outside of Exeter. My work reflects upon the infinite beauty of nature, the endless cycles of life, growth and decay that we share with our fellow creatures, and mother nature’s ever shifting transfer of energies.

I am fortunate to have lived amongst areas of beautiful and abundant wildlife throughout my life, and make a conscious effort to submerge myself in such places as often as possible. The natural world has always been my happy place, and provides a constant source of inspiration for my artwork.

It was this inspiration that lead me to begin drawing again after a long break from art following my degree. I especially enjoyed the mark making process involved in pen and ink drawing, which lend themselves so well to organic elements such as feathers, fur and bark. This eventually led me to explore these marks further by using printmaking mediums. I haven’t looked back since.

Talk us through the making process start-finish, how does each piece come to be?

When creating a new lino print, I first sketch out some rough ideas in pencil. I choose the composition that works the best and then trace this either directly onto tracing paper, or onto procreate if it is a larger or more complex design. The completed procreate drawing is then also transferred to tracing paper in pencil.

This tracing is then flipped over and pressed on to the lino block. I then carve away the negative space areas of the design, and create a test print by inking the finished linocut with a roller, and oil based relief inks. Once I am happy with the final design, I make a small run of limited edition prints, using handmade natural fibre papers, and finally sign and number them.

How has the lockdown affected you and how have you adapted?

Before the lockdown I was working full time in the hospitality sector. My artwork very much took the back seat in my life and I only really had time for it on my infrequent days off, and on my lunch breaks at work. I knew that I wanted to pursue it further but couldn’t afford to take any real time off to work on my artistic development.

The lockdown provided me with that time which was extremely helpful and has given me the opportunity to develop the beginnings of a career in what I love. It was of course a really challenging time as well, but having an artistic practice to submerge myself in was invaluable for my mental health and wellbeing.

What do you like to do when you are not working?

When I am not working I like to spend a lot of time outdoors walking with my dog, swimming in the sea and finding new yoga spaces in the sun.

I am also very into my music and am always off to a gig or festival somewhere in the country.

I love to travel and intend to continue to do so with my work, once the world returns to some normality. I love the idea of being able to take my work with me to new places, along with the potential for new opportunities, experiences and friendships. 

What’s behind your business name?

My business name ‘Skyfyre’ comes simply from my lifelong obsession with photographing sunrises and sunsets. I have been hooked on these colourful displays of natures wonder for so long, and feel that although the imagery is different, ‘natures wonder’ is also what I am striving to represent in my own work.

I call this array of burning colours in the sky ‘sky fires’. And there you have it; I figured it was a good name!

Click here to contact Jasmine at Skyfyre

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