James English Recipient of the 2020 Fingal County Council & Graphic Studio Dublin Residency Award

The Fingal County Council fine art print residency at Graphic Studio Dublin was awarded to James English RHA earlier this year. This residency offers an emerging or established artist the opportunity to make a fine art print with the master printer Robert Russell at Graphic Studio Dublin.

James, an artist from Loughshinny, completed his residency in October. He is a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy and is renowned for still life and landscape paintings which respond to his interest in nature and ornithology, often capturing shadow patterns, abstract forms and reflections in water. During his time at Graphic Studio Dublin he created a limited edition of prints, the artists proof will enter the Fingal County Council Municipal Art Collection. 

Speaking about the residency, James said “Working with Robert was fascinating, etching, sugar lifting, aquatint and spit biting, once just words to me came alive in the hands of a master. He would patiently guide me through the various stages of making a print until we were both satisfied with the result before moving on to the next stage. Every day introduced me to something new in printmaking however small, all adding to the overall experience of working in a print studio. At the end of my residency I had made four prints. Two from the selected works and two from drawings done while working in the studio. Overall the residency at Graphic Studio Dublin has been an exciting and uplifting experience for me. I have no doubt that it will enrich my own practice of painting. I am also looking forward to the time when I can return to make another print with them."