"Most people don't know very much about printmaking"

It's true! And printmakers spend a lot of time explaining that their work is not a reproduction, but an original work, conceived of in a printmaking medium...The language can confuse. It's strange, given that so many people have done linocuts at school and we do have a vague understanding of terms like "etchings".

If you like the work and it's been created using a printmaking technique, that's a great start! For a smile, why not look out for the fantastic printmaking dog (quoted in the title) in Aardman Animations' Creature Comforts USA piece on Art. Love it!

Stockport Open Contemporary Art Exhibition until 14 August 2011

I'm really excited every time I visit the Stockport Art Gallery's new Open Contemporary Art Exhibition. It's in a fantastic airy, quite traditional space - and is very contemporary. It has a lively, welcoming feel and covers so many media. My Scottish Sheep linocut also greets me from a wonderfully prominent spot opposite the entrance!

The exhibition has been organised this year by Skarts (Stockport artists) with a prestigious panel of judges. There were over 750 pieces of artwork submitted for selection and around 150 of these entries made it to the walls of Stockport Art Gallery, on the main A6. If you haven't visited it yet, it's well worth going. The Open runs until Sunday 14 August (gallery closed Mondays and weekday mornings) - and many of the artworks are for sale. Click here for a link to the exhibition.

I was interested by the number of printmaking works on display, from linocuts to etchings - including from other Hot Bed Press print workshop members. It was great to see such exposure for original prints in this showcase of North West contemporary art.