Discovering Gelli Plate Printing
When a fellow artist first introduced me to Gelli plate printing last June, I was slightly confused. I thought she meant making a plate out of jelly. Once she showed me the equipment, though, I quickly understood what she meant. In fairness, I was not entirely wrong—you really can make your own Gelli plates from gelatine.
Since then, I have been experimenting on and off with Gelli prints in my artwork. They add another layer to my pieces and create opportunities to explore not only colour, but texture and materials as well. I have tried printing on a variety of papers, with mixed results, and each success or failure has taught me something new.
Whenever I discover a new way of making art that helps me tell the stories I have written, it feels like opening a new box of treats without knowing quite what to expect. My metaphors do tend to return to food, but the comparison feels fitting: creativity, like cooking, is full of colour, surprise, and experimentation.
What draws me back to Gelli printing is the chance to keep learning. I want to make the most of the materials and equipment I have invested in, and I believe learning is essential whether you are a professional artist or a hobbyist.
For me, continued learning matters because it helps me:
- develop new techniques and expand my creative knowledge
- avoid repeating the same ideas over and over
- create work that continues to grow in depth and quality
- offer collectors pieces they can feel proud to display
Buying art is a thoughtful, considered decision, and I never take that for granted. When someone chooses to spend their hard-earned money on my work, I feel a responsibility to keep investing in my own development so that I can give them the very best of my creativity.
So if you didn’t have the opportunity to come over to Cornwall Open Studios please contact me and we can make a date for a private viewing and if you like I can share with you what I have learnt through Gelli Printing and you can have a go too.
With love – Sammy xx
