About the Artist
Ruth Osborne
Northern Irish Artist specialising in nature inspired textile artwork
Hello and thank you for taking the time to visit my online shop and online gallery.
About Ruth Osborne Artist
I am an Irish textile Artist and Printmaker based in rural County Down, Northern Ireland. My work is linked to place, seasonal transitions, and heritage. I use a range of printmaking processes, in particular the historic process of Nature Printing, and the Heritage Crafts of natural dyeing and pigment making to create original artworks on Irish Linen.
Alongside my original works of art, I create a limited selection of Giclée art prints, cards and homeware. You can view all currently available artwork here or get in touch to enquire about commissioning a bespoke artwork.
Image: Gorse blossom dyed Irish Linen with hand-printed Imbolc (Spring) Wreath Motif
Having studied and worked in Belfast, Scotland, and the South of Ireland, I returned to my childhood locale of County Down, where the landscape of unspoilt shorelines, ancient landmarks, quiet laneways and rolling drumlins is one that inspires me.
My studio is based by the shores of Strangford Lough; the largest sea lough in the British Isles and is one of only three designated Marine Nature Reserves in the United Kingdom.
The wealth of wildlife found in the area, its rich heritage, and diversity of flora and habitats directly impact my creative process. It is from the surrounding areas of Strangford Lough that I gather and responsibly forage windfallen plant materials for the purposes of mark-making, nature printing, natural dyeing and making botanical pigments.
You can read more about my Creative Process and current and past projects in the BLOG section.
Image: Strangford Lough in Winter, near Mahee Island in County Down
Printmaking Teaching & Creative Workshops
I regularly facilitate creative workshops and also work as an Artist in Residence across the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust with the Charity, Arts Care. The workshops I facilitate range in theme, content, skill level and duration. Current workshops include:
- Nature Printing
- Botanical Gel Plate Printing and Collage
- Introduction to Cyanotype
- Mark Making and Monoprint Techniques
- Block Printing with Natural Dyes
- 6 week Impressions of Nature Print-Making Course
Workshops are relaxed and informal, encouraging you to explore your own creativity. My mark-making workshops incorporate a range of mindfulness techniques to add to the escapism that comes with creativity. You can find out more about my workshops and teaching practice here.
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My work is also stocked in a number of galleries and independent shops, including: