Meet The Maker: Custard4gravy
Custard4gravy is just a daft name I came up with many moons ago to use for my own artwork - People tend to remember it, and if nothing else, it’s a talking point at fairs.
To most people, I’m Andy Mitchell, a printmaker/ designer/ illustrator from Shipley, West Yorkshire. Husband to Catherine, Dad to Alice, Grandpa to Matilda... Hopefully, a friend to everyone else. I have a fondness for craft beer and vinyl records. If I had a beard, tattoos and skinny jeans, I’d be a hipster stereotype...thankfully, I’m far too sarcastic for that. I’ve spent the majority of my working career in various studios for the greeting card industry here in the UK. Which I’m currently still doing.
Describe your printmaking process.
I mostly make lino prints. That’s not to say I won’t ever venture into other areas of printmaking, but ATM I’m very content with the process. It usual starts with a spark of an idea, that can be while I’m out walking, reading or watching TV. Depending on where I am when inspiration hits... I’ll make a quick note to remind myself. This could be just a few descriptive words as text on my phone, or scribbled in a sketch book or anything to hand. This will then get redrawn a few times, and almost always works up on my iPad, where I can also try out different colour combinations. This is then scaled up to fit on the lino and drawn out with pencil and tracing paper, after which the fun part begins... carving the block is my favourite bit.
How and where did you learn to print?
When I was studying for my degree at Bradford college back in the 90’s. I took both illustration and printmaking as my options. Bradford college used to have a world class printmaking facility back then, and the tutors were very knowledgeable... neither of which I appreciated as a cocky student in my early 20’s. If I could go back in time, I’d be hanging on their every word.
Why printmaking?
When I was at college, it was a good bedfellow to the hand painted illustrations I used to do. Eventually I taught myself to work digitally... to which extent I still do most days. Then when Covid hit and I was spending all day at home in my living room on my work computer... the last thing I wanted was to spend my evenings creating on a computer too. That’s when I remembered my love of printmaking. I had a studio away from the house, and I still had my lino cutting tools, it was an easy fix... one that I’m still enjoying almost 6 years later.
Where do you work?
I have a tiny studio at the bottom of the garden in a ram-shackled garage... its far from
perfect, but it’s mine and I realise just how lucky I am to have a space to create.
Describe a typical day in your studio.
A typical “day” is usually an evening or weekend, I still have bills to pay, and currently my
printmaking just about covers materials and etsy fees... so it very much revolves around any other work I have on. It’s very much a self indulgence, one that thankfully lots of other people seem to enjoy too. Having my own studio, just for creating... means whenever I want, I can just walk back in and start where I left off, no tidying things away to prepare food, or if the family is coming around. My current job, is only four days a week, so although I’ve less money, it does give me an extra studio day, which is handy, especially if I’ve a weekend market/ fair to prepare for.
What inspires you?
It sounds cheesy - but nature! Getting outside, walking, seeing animals in the countryside,
sitting in the garden listening to the birds sing. Watching flowers/plants grow. The changing of the seasons... even after all my years being alive, it’s all just so constantly amazing and continues to inspire me.
What is your favourite printmaking product?
I’d have to say my Ironbridge printing press. I never thought I’d ever own one, and feel so lucky that I was in a position to be able to buy it. It feels a bit weird saying lucky, as the only reason I could afford it was by being made redundant from a job, after 19 years working for the same company... but it helped paid our mortgage off, and made it more feasible. It’s too big for my small studio, but I’m glad its constantly in the way, it makes printing much easier. It also gives me the opportunity to expand into other printing techniques in the future, if I so wish.
How long have you been printmaking?
On and off over 30 years... it's like an old friend, it seems to find me when I need it.
Currently- we’ve been hanging out regularly for a good 5 years.
What have you made that you are most proud of?
I’m proud of everything I’ve made in the last few years... but it’s usually the newest one, the one who’s ups and downs are freshest in your mind. Until a new idea comes along and you start that journey all over again.
Where can we see your work? Where do you sell?
I have an Etsy shop that a sell a few smaller prints/ cards on. I try and do as many print fairs as I can get on... occasionally a craft fair too. My social media of choice is still Instagram... though I have been known to Tiktok now and then.
What will we be seeing from you next?
More of the same, hopefully. I’m enjoying where things are going, and I don’t have any
intentions of slowing down. A few of the bigger print fairs would be nice.
Do you have any advice for other printmakers and creatives?
Do what you enjoy. Always keep your tools sharp... and always cut away from yourself.
To see more of Andy, follow him on Instagram!