'I've returned to teaching after leaving my job at a West Midlands school seven years ago - it's great to be back in the classroom helping others to discover their creativity'

Originally from Derbyshire, Sue moved to the West Midlands to study carpet design at Kidderminster College where she fell in love with printmaking.

After graduating, she spent 17 years teaching A-level courses in textile design as well as art, craft and design, and history of art, at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge. Throughout her time teaching, Sue says she was constantly inspired by her talented colleagues, who helped her to develop her printing skills.

In 2017, Sue, who lives in Wolverhampton, left the classroom to set up her own design business and be a carer for her son. 

And she has recently started sharing her passion for printmaking by teaching workshops, helping others to get creative and learn new skills. “I’ve really enjoyed teaching again. It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed being back in the classroom,” says Sue.

Her own work is inspired by nature and the British countryside, especially its seasons, wildlife and plants. “Growing up in the Peak District, I was intrigued by insects and plants from an early age. I come from a long line of plant people and gardeners. I also really like the arts and crafts movement – I’ve been inspired by visits to Wightwick Manor."

Her surface pattern designs and decorative illustrations are based on her original linocuts.

Each one starts with Sue carving her hand drawn design onto a lino block. The raised areas are then covered in ink and printed onto paper. Sue can then scan the prints and use computer software to manipulate designs such as changing the colours. But recently she has chosen to ditch the technology and do everything by hand.

“It’s a very meditative process and very satisfying,” says Sue, who also works as a part-time museum assistant at the Red House Glass Cone.

Her designs, which she sells through her Etsy shop, can be used for a range of materials such as fabric, wallpaper, home decor, greetings cards and stationery. Her prints are also available to buy from at Craft Happenings, Upper Penn and the Red House Glass Cone shop. Sue has been delighted by the positive feedback from participants in her workshops, which take place at venues including Crafty Happenings; The Institute in Tettenhall and the Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley.

People don’t have to have artistic experience or prior printmaking experience to come along. Each beginners linocut workshop starts with Sue talking the class through the process and introducing them to the different tools they will be using. They will then get the chance to test the skills before carving and printing their chosen colour design. 

“I love being a teacher again and helping people to discover their creativity. What I really enjoy is when people come to the workshop and say ‘I’m not going to be very good at it’ and then they are amazed at what they have been able to produce in just a few hours and are more confident to come back or do a different workshop somewhere else,” says Sue. 

Sue is keen to assure people who did lino printing at school in decades gone by that it has come a long way since then. “A lot of people remember hard lino with hessian backing that was difficult to carve. It’s now easier to carve and easier to print so people shouldn’t be put off by what they did at school,” she says.

Following the success of her first workshops, Sue decided to set up a monthly print club for people with recent experience of lino printing. “It allows people to practice what they have learned and meet up with other people. It’s on the first Wednesday evening of the month at Crafty Happenings.”

For more information, visit Sue’s website at www.suehalstead.co.uk