Since entering a painting competition as a child and winning the coveted blue paintbox prize Art has been a major part of Tessa’s life and work. Progressing from painting on the kitchen table Tessa went on to graduate as a teacher of Art and Design in both schools and college and In Art courses for adults. When retirement beckoned a chance conversation with a friend introduced her to Sudbourne Park Printmakers .

Becoming a member of this creative community of printmakers provided the opportunity for Tessa to focus on her own work as a printmaker in the company of fellow artists where sharing ideas and experience working together is enriching for everyone.

Tessa has worked with a variety of print processes but currently she is exploring a Monoprint and Drypoint etching process. Drawings of different landscapes are transformed into an image for the print process. The aim is to capture an ‘essence of place’ In a painterly print. As well using the structure found in a landscape Tessa focuses on colour, shape line and pattern using these in a playful way to bring variation or transformation from landscape to the finished print.

In discovering Sudbourne Park Tessa found fellow creative artists to work with and  a new inspiring creative life in the beautiful surroundings of Bothy Yard .