Carol Nunan, Printmaker
Printmaking reflects my identity. I use colour and bold marks with monotype and collagraph techniques. The unpredictable nature of printmaking fascinates me in the way it presents surprises.
It brings me happiness when my prints go off to your home bringing individuality and personalising your living space.
The finished monotype print behind the video of the making of it.
Where it all started
Since childhood, art has held a special place in Carol Nunan's heart. With a family background rich in artistic talent, Carol was captivated by the stories of her maternal grandmother's sister, who was student at the prestigious Slade School of Art in London sometime between 1929 and 1932. This familial bond sparked a creative fire within Carol and inspired her, along with first and second cousins, to embark on fulfilling journeys in the realms of painting, printmaking, and ceramics.
Carol's Artistic Journey
Born in Ireland, Carol's roots extend to Zambia, where she absorbed diverse cultures. After moving back to Ireland at sixteen, she developed a passion for exploration.
After graduating in Visual Communications at The National College of Art & Design in Dublin, she explored graphic design in South Africa. In Cape Town, she met her husband. Together, they settled in Northumberland before fulfilling their dream of living in Scotland on the Isle of Bute.
Carol's early years taught her to embrace change and follow her heart, embracing life, different cultures and places in her journey to find what brings her joy.
The Transformative Magic of Printmaking!
When in 1998, as she was recovering from postnatal depression, Carol followed those early principles seeking relief in printmaking. Here she came to fully realise the power of artistic self-expression, something that had lain dormant in her life for a long time.
In time, she and her teacher created a business partnership establishing a thriving independent printmaking studio that properly launched both their printmaking careers. Eventually Carol went solo, opening her own studio in the medieval market town of Hexham in Northumberland. Seven years later she and her husband realised a long held ambition to move to Scotland. Carol now spends her days in her lovely garden studio in Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, with an ever changing view over Rothesay Bay.
Back in 1998, when Carol attended her first printmaking workshop, she could never have anticipated the profound impact printmaking would have on her life. Over the next two decades, Carol dedicated herself to teaching printmaking, during which she helped others struggling with mental health challenges in harnessing the power of printmaking to reshape their lives and embark on a journey towards their own improved well-being.
In her own work Carol draws inspiration from a number of sources.
These range from the untamed beauty of Northumbria's landscapes to the dramatic and moody Scottish West Coast and The Highlands. The rich wildlife of moors and shorelines on the Isle of Bute, provides artistic fuel for her work alongside the historic gems of her former home near Hadrian's Wall and the Northumberland National Park.
As an active member of The Isle of Bute Artists Collective, the Printmakers of Scotland, and the Glasgow Print Studio, Carol is deeply rooted in the artistic community. Her captivating work is found in several galleries, art centres and gift shops throughout the UK as well as through her website, giving potential customers the opportunity to see her work in person and digital platforms.