Norman Ackroyd

I fell in love with Norman Ackroyd's work a couple of years ago when I first saw his 'A Shetland Notebook' (a collection of sketches done from the deck of a boat, they're basically rough impressions and notes to be worked up later - and utterly magical). Since then I've spent quite a bit of time eyeing up his aquatints online in a deeply covetous manner.

There is a gallery in Thirsk (Zillah Bell) which holds an extensive collection of Ackroyd prints and was on our route between Rievaulx abbey and Harrogate so we stopped to have a look - and I bought one. Which was extravagant, but after 2 years thinking about it isn't something I'm going to regret.

The extravagance is relative, to my eye this is a thing of beauty which will be a joy forever, I had the money for it, and honestly I can't think of a better way to spend it than on art. Prints are a comparitivley affordable way of collecting, and be they woodcuts, Lino cuts, screen prints, aquatints, engravings, lithographs, (the list goes on) there's a lot to love.

Really though, this post is just about sharing something I'm beyond delighted with.

Before framing

The magic moment, back from the framers - you already know what it looks like but now you get to unwrap it, know it's all yours, decide where to hang it, and generally enjoy yourself. Love this bit.