Minouche
Becki MapplebeckBecki Mapplebeck
I’m a printmaker and linocut artist living between the North York Moors and the Yorkshire coast—a landscape that’s endlessly inspiring and central to my creative practice.
I create handmade linocut prints that reflect my love of nature, storytelling, and seasonal change. My work often explores the plants, animals, and folklore of the Yorkshire countryside, with a focus on the small details that make the natural world so magical. I’m also drawn to broader environmental themes like endangered species and the impact of climate change.
I originally studied Applied Arts at the University of Derby, and after graduating, I became a secondary school teacher—a role I’ve continued part-time for over 20 years. For a long time, I worked across a variety of creative media, but everything changed when I rediscovered linocut printmaking. I immediately fell in love with the process—the slow carving, the bold marks, the surprise of the first print—and I’ve been developing my skills ever since.
I now work from my seaside studio, where I design, carve, and print each piece by hand. I also run linocut workshops for small groups, sharing the joy of printmaking with others.
Whether I’m walking the moors with a sketchbook or printing at my inky table, I’m always looking for ways to connect with nature and tell its stories through print.
Linoprints
Lino printing, also known as linocut, is a versatile and accessible printmaking technique that involves creating an image by carving into a sheet of linoleum.
Printing ink is ap[plied evenly onto the raised surfaces of the linoleum using a roller (or brayer), ensuring complete and uniform coverage of ink on the carved design.
Carefully place the inked linoleum block onto your chosen printing surface (paper or fabric), and either apply pressure evenly over the back of the block or pass it through a printing press.
Reduction printing is a printmaking technique where multiple colours are printed on the same piece of paper using a single block of linoleum. The process involves progressively carving away more of the linoleum surface between each colour layer. Reduction printing requires careful planning, precision in carving, and a thoughtful approach to colour layering. It's a challenging but rewarding technique that produces dynamic and visually appealing prints.
