Emma Mitchell

Author, designer-maker, naturalist, illustrator, mum

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Modern Botanics: the creative process

I first discovered Mirta Tyrrell of Modern Botanic’s designs on Instagram several months ago. The inspiration for her surface pattern was clear immediately: the shapes and forms of plants, their flowers and seeds. She seems to be as thrilled about the patterns made by humble species, ones that many may overlook or class as weeds, as I am. As an amateur botanist the sight of her prints on both fabric and paper in my feed made me realise that I’d found a botanical kindred spirit. I was also thrilled to discover a little more about some of the plants Mirta finds near Lake Como in Italy, where she lives, by examining her photographs and checking to see whether those species grow here in England on the edge of the Fens.

 

Mirta has just finished designing and hand-printing her 2016 calendar. I’m thrilled that she has agreed to share the creative processes she used to make it here. Below is Mirta’s account:

 

Each year I make a calendar and each year I set the bar higher for myself in terms of the creative techniques I use. I was keen to create my 2016 calendar using the longest process in making it that I know: I opted to block print each one, which it means a total of 13 individually made pages (there is also a cover design).

I began by deciding on the design I would use for each month, I was keen to use some of my best known illustrations in the finished calendar but also adding some new ones.

I started sketching a bunch of new illustrations all inspired by my endless collections of little found objects. My studio is filled with boxes and jars packed with pinecones, pods, stones, dried wild flowers, my precious possessions gathered during my walks here at the lake or up on the hills and mountains right behind my village. Once I’m done with sketching I transfer what I like to carving blocks.

And you know what? A couple of new blocks that I really loved didn’t make it to the calendar because I didn’t think they would fit with the rest. I worked so hard on the November block and at the end it didn’t make it, it was a difficult decision, but I’m happy I took it. So these ones are now available as art prints.

 

I use several kinds of solid media to carve my blocks and various inks (all water based ones). Whilst making my 2016 calendar I used 3 different kind of rubbers and linoleum because I feel that some of my illustrations are better carved in certain materials than others.

The calendar is printed on the best recycled paper I could afford, made locally in Italy by a small producer who I know and trust. I thought carefully about all the details of my production being right so I can offer a completely eco friendly and handmade option.

 

When I decided to block print each calendar I was a bit nervous, because I knew it would be a very long process with masse of test printing and potential mistakes and I knew that the end result would be slightly different for each copy. But then I realized that only making it in this way would make me entirely happy and proud. So yes, each one is slightly different from the other, because of the way the ink is absorbed by the paper, because I might place the block in a slightly different position, maybe because the weather is damper and the ink works in a different way. But I’m happy with this; each one is different, each one is unique and beautiful in its own right.

And do you know what its the best thing about it? At the end of each month you can cut off the bottom part and keep the printed illustration as an art print. Or gift it to somebody else.

 

So I decided to print 20 copies and they’re available in my shop now, I’ll do a second batch if anyone would like more. I really hope you will like it as much as I loved making it.

 

Mirta’s calendar is a feat of making – a labour of love and the result is absolutely beautiful. Not only that I am utterly blown away by her English and it has inspired me to improve my Italian a little.

If you’d like to have a peep at Mirta’s shop it’s here and she’s also on Twitter and Instagram, where she’ll be holding a giveaway next week. Her blog is a beautiful place to visit.

 

Note: I have shared Mirta’s calendar, prints and design process because her products are exquisite, we both revere plants and find endless inspiration amongst their shapes and I thought others may want to see and read about how she makes her work. None of of the posts on silverpebble are sponsored in any way.

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Comments

  5. Emma, what a treat to have this introduction to Mirta's beautiful work. I like her sensibility and connection to the natural world very much.

    As you know, I am a huge fan of Celia's block prints, and now seeing Mirta's work is truly making me want to get out my carving tools again…once I find that eighth day of the week!

    xo

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  6. That excitement when you find others as excited about these tiny botanical details is fab isn't it? You just know how much joy there is in looking so closely. There are many of us who find inspiration in similar plant-y, meadow-y places and it is lovely to see the different interpretations and explorations. Hannah Nunn is my meadow sister! Mirta's work is so very lovely, I find it very calming and soothing to look at for some reason. I bought a stamp carving book andsome tools ages ago and have never quite got round to having a go, maybe I should try a gift tag or two for my family! x

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  11. Hi Emma, your blog is a very pretty thing; enough to cheer the most wintery day. I was also blown away by the beauty of Modern Botanics. I've tried to link up to your blog hop, such a fun idea. I hope that I have done it correctly and also that you feel it's a good match. If not, I can delete, no hard feelings! This is the first time I've done anything like this. Can't wait for some winter glitter, Lynda.

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