Judy Collins

"Keen Blast", drypoint, 2004, 13x17.5 cm

"I am a printmaker, working mainly with etching and drypoint processes, almost exclusively in monochrome, as I feel this best reflects my response to my subject matter. I have always used the landscape as a starting point, not so much in a pastoral sense, but as a reflection upon ‘used’ land, where man works and leaves his mark – the fishing harbours, quarries, open mines, etc. Most recently I have investigated extremes in weather within these environments – storms, gales, high seas, expressive images of skies, etc.

I am fascinated by the energy of the elements, and their interaction with the intrusion of the man-made landscape. The action of extreme weather in such contexts makes me aware of the strength of nature and the notion that it is an enormous ‘thinking thing’. I tend to see these things as occurring at the edge, and because of this, such things as estuaries – natural meeting-points - have particular importance for me."

"Tren Crom", etching, 2005, 48x45 cm