In The Studio: Marcus Walters
For this week’s In The Studio we’re in sunny Gloucestershire to have a gander at Marcus Walters’ multi layered prints.
Working alongside his partner Hayley, Marcus has produced a new collection of limited edition cushions for Heal’s, each of which has been designed and hand screen printed on site. As well as having a nosey around the studio we sat down with the multi-talented artist, illustrator and designer to find out more about his colourful collages.
—
Tell us about the first piece you ever designed?
I started out creating collage artwork before I got into print, so my first ‘real’ piece is a simple collage made from different patterned paper that I found around the studio many years ago. I still have it framed in my house as a reminder of where it all started.
Where did you study?
I studied Graphic Design at Central St Martins. My subject choice was informed by a desire to work across a broad range of projects and subjects, however, my approach has always been visually led often applying my designs to products.
What is the inspiration behind your work?
I am lucky that my surrounding landscape is beautiful and always changing so I find it reflects heavily in my artwork. I guess the narrative in my work could be seen as quite simple and traditional although I think I approach it in a different way.
There are also so many artists and designers I consider heroes, from the greats such as Picasso, Matisse and Warhol to other perhaps less well-known figures such as Sister Corita. I have also aspired to design polymaths such as Saul Bass, Bruno Munari and Eames of course!
Having two young children also helps remind me not to be too precious about art – it’s about the freedom of doing it, going on a journey and not trying to get to a perceived end point.
Tell us about your design process, how do you get started?
I love collage – for me it’s a way of connecting art and design. My process starts with drawing as a way of developing the overall concept. From there I cut out the individual elements for the composition. I love the tactile nature of cutting and the resulting imperfections – quite often I will use off cuts or bits left behind in my artwork, or save them for other pieces.
I work collaboratively with my wife Hayley who hand prints my work. The screen printing process adds an extra dimension to the artwork especially when overprinting different layers on top of each other. When I hand my artwork to Hayley for printing she will also add her own interpretation of my palette, so I can’t claim to take complete authorship.
Where is your studio based?
My studio is in an old cloth mill near Stroud in Gloucestershire. I share the space with my partner Hayley who has her textile print works in the adjoining studio, which is very convenient! We often work together on print projects and recently collaborated on our own range of tableware. Although we often work together as artist and printer this was the first time we actually designed a collection together.
How would you describe your new collection?
My range could be considered as different components of one big landscape. My textile designs feature elements such as a sun, plants and birds that can work both together and as individual pieces. When I work on a series on a collection I imagine how it would look in situ – whether on a sofa, wall or bed.
Further Reading:
www.marcuswalters.com