Elaine Marshall
I was born in Greenwich, and from my earliest years was always drawing. I graduated in Painting from Goldsmiths' School of Art, a postgraduate diploma from the Slade School of Fine Art, and gained a B.A. Hons degree in Book Arts from the London Institute.
At my Greenwich-based studio, where I have a Rochat etching press and a 1850 Albion relief press I specialise in etching and relief printmaking. In etching I sometimes use two copper plates, the main plate for the image and a second plate for aquatint. With my linocuts I use either one or several blocks according to the design Often I merge several colours on the roller so the colours vary across the print.
I am inspired by patterns, either man-made as in mazes, labyrinths and Islamic concepts, or by natural forms in the landscape, images of imaginary butterflies, snowflakes, doves and foxes, and by travels in France, Italy, Morocco and Nepal.
I'm a founder member of Greenwich Printmakers and also participate in Greenwich Open Studios. I have exhibited widely in the UK and abroad and my work is in private and public collections, including the National Maritime and Victoria and Albert museums.