The printmaker and visual artist explains her interest in apricity …
Apricity is an old English word meaning “the warmth of the winter sun” and the moment I discovered it, I knew that I’d found a word for what I’d been trying to express through my work. I’ve always been drawn to those fleeting moments when light transforms an ordinary landscape into something extraordinary.
I returned to education in my early 40s to study a Fine Art degree at Limerick School of Art & Design and graduated two years ago. My work evolved over those years from simply documenting beautiful places to exploring how light can affect our emotions, offering a sense of calm, hope and connection. This fascination became the central thread of my practice and has continued to do so. If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that it’s never too late to begin again. Returning to education opened a door I never imagined possible and I’m so grateful I walked through it.
I grew up in Somerset in the UK, spent many years living in London and I am now in Limerick in Ireland. I find myself constantly chasing those brief windows of light wherever I am – the golden hour before sunset, sunrise over the coast or the way colourful skies soften the landscape.
My work isn’t really about the landscape itself, it’s about what happens when light changes the way we experience it. I hope that my prints encourage people to pause, look a little longer and find beauty in moments that often pass unnoticed. For me, apricity isn’t just about sunshine; it’s about finding warmth, optimism and hope in everyday life.
Photography is the starting point for almost every piece I make. I spend a great deal of time outdoors, particularly along the Kerry coastline and across the Irish landscape, waiting for the right quality of light instead of searching for a particular location. No two sunsets or sunrises are ever the same.
Back in the studio, I transform these photographs through contemporary printmaking techniques including photography, Polaroid emulsion lifts, screen printing, cyanotype and monoprint. I work with layers, transparent inks and gold leaf to recreate the luminosity of the original moment rather than simply reproducing the photograph. Printmaking has its own wonderful unpredictability and I embrace those happy accidents that happen along the way. Each print becomes an interpretation of the experience of being there, inviting the viewer to slow down, reconnect with the landscape and perhaps find a little stillness of their own.
My process always begins outdoors. I take long walks with my camera, often returning to the same locations because the light is never the same twice. Rather than making traditional sketches, I build a visual archive of photos that capture changing seasons, weather and atmosphere. I’m lucky enough to have a studio at home where the photography, digital preparation and creative thinking all come together. I spend time editing and simplifying the images before translating them into printable layers, creating small test prints and colour studies before committing to larger works. I like to leave room for experimentation throughout the process as printmaking often reveals something unexpected.
After graduating, I was honoured to be awarded the annual Cork Printmakers Graduate Bursary, which gave me invaluable time, space and encouragement to continue developing my practice. Since completing the bursary, I’ve been working from Limerick Printmakers, where I’m now a member. Having access to such an inspiring print studio, alongside a generous and supportive community of artists, has been instrumental in the continued evolution of my work.
I’m leading The Botanical Printmaker’s Brunch at Thatched Farm Project, Co Limerick. It’s about so much more than learning a printmaking technique – it’s about creating space to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy the simple pleasure of making something with your hands. I’m delighted to run these workshops alongside two great friends, Imen McDonnell and Agnes Bouchier-Hayes, where we’ve created an experience that brings together creativity, nature, good food and conversation in the peaceful surroundings of the farm. We’ll begin by gathering seasonal leaves, flowers and botanical treasures from the gardens to use in our prints. The workshop is designed for complete beginners, so no previous experience is needed. I’ll guide everyone through the process step by step, encouraging experimentation, curiosity and the joy of embracing the unexpected. Halfway through the morning, we’ll pause to enjoy brunch celebrating some of our favourite local producers before returning to printing. I love the idea of combining art, nature and food in one experience as it feels like a lovely antidote to the pace of everyday life. I hope people leave with a collection of prints that they’re proud of, but more importantly with a sense of calm, inspiration and confidence to keep creating. It’s an opportunity to spend a restorative Sunday immersed in good company.
Without question, what I enjoy most about what I do is seeing people connect emotionally with my work. There’s something very special about watching someone stop, take a breath and recognise a place, a feeling or a memory within a print. I also love the process itself. Printmaking constantly reminds me that perfection isn’t the goal: it’s about exploration, patience and discovery. Every layer reveals something new and every print has its own personality. I’m constantly learning, which I love.
More recently, I’ve discovered how rewarding it is to share that process with others through workshops. Watching someone who believes that they’re “not creative” leave with a print that they’re genuinely proud of is incredibly special. Ultimately, I hope that my work offers a small moment of pause in a busy world. If someone walks away feeling a little lighter or simply more aware of the beauty around them, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do.
Need to know: Claire will be hosting a Printmaker’s Brunch on August 16 at Imen McDonnell’s Thatched Farm Project with chef Lily Starbuck. Follow @thatchedfarmproject for more information.
