I grew up in a tiny village in the Norfolk countryside, four miles from the coast. A cottage, surrounded by fields and the freedom to walk and cycle round with no real worries about the big wide world. With an abundance of nature, peace and quiet and small country lanes, it was only when I moved away to university that it really hit home how lucky I was to grow up in such a place. Even now after moving away, Norfolk is where I feel most at home. 

I think I always knew I wanted to be an artist, in some shape or form. As a child, I was constantly drawing. Art was my favourite subject at school and at college I explored textiles and photography. Eventually, I went on to study Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University. As an all-round creative person, this course meant you could explore different disciplines which led me down the printmaking path. I gained some experience working in the print design industry and later got a job as a junior greetings card designer at Clintons, which was unfortunately short lived due to Covid. It was then that I decided I could have a try at being a self-employed artist which I continue to be. Over that time, I have done some freelance work, had my work featured on National Trust cards, been featured in Country Living magazine and more recently designed a book cover – all amazing opportunities.

Ever since moving away from home, Norfolk has been somewhere I always return to in my work. Maybe by depicting it in my work, it brings me comfort when I miss it. This is something my audience often resonate with, too, as it is a special place for so many people, sparking happy memories of holidays and time spent with family. The beauty of the Norfolk landscape is unmatched in my biased opinion – wide open skies, varied rural landscapes, historic village churches and a beautiful coastline where you can watch the sunset over the sea.

‘Morston Sunset’ [featured on the cover of North Norfolk Living] is an original lino print capturing a popular view from Morston looking towards Blakeney. The print features curlews on the bank and one flying overhead as the sun dips behind you. It is inspired by autumnal and winter walks in the area, when the light starts to change with the seasons and birds like curlews return to the Norfolk marshes.

My favourite North Norfolk view would be along the coast path between Sheringham and Weybourne. I love the undulating cliffs and the way the path has been carved by walkers over the years. You can spot sand martins nesting in the cliffs in spring/summer and all kinds of flora along the cliff tops. Making my way down to the pebbly beach will always remind me of summer evenings when my dad would take us mackerel fishing and we would lie on the beach and listen to the waves until it got dark. 

I am mainly a printmaker but I sometimes paint, too. My painting style is very different from my prints, much more expressive and loose whereas my prints are controlled and stylised with sharp lines. Someone once said that it revealed the different aspects of my brain. But there is something about printmaking which I love and keep coming back to. I enjoy carving the design into the lino which can be therapeutic. I love planning the print and mixing the inks, but most of all the final reveal, which is always satisfying, but also surprising, as you never truly know how it will turn out.

I have recently created a homewares collection using knowledge from my degree where you are taught how to create repeat patterns and how to use a sewing machine. I love pattern and colour and it is always something I like to incorporate into my work. My new tea towels and cushion covers are handmade on my granny’s old 1980s machine. She loved her crafts and it is nice to continue to make things by hand. ‘Autumn Delights’ is proving to be a popular design which is now also available as coasters.

My ideal Norfolk weekend… would be a sunny autumnal walk around Felbrigg Hall woodland and grounds, a trip to Cromer for coffee and cake and a walk along the pier. Finished off with a home cooked roast dinner and relaxing by the fire. 

www.rachapplebyart.co.uk