Meet the Maker: Keith A. Pettit
I am Keith A. Pettit an artist, printmaker and sculptor, born and bred in a small corner of Sussex. I left school and started work with a signwriter. I thought I was learning a trade for life - alas I was unaware of the digital revolution that was sweeping all before it.
I've been on an unpredictable adventure ever since. I fell in love with wood engraving in the mid 90's and through a series of remarkable coincidences, I found myself at an incredibly laid back engraving class run by the elderly Diana Bloomfield - who I loved; she was the first teacher I really got. I found it a very easy skill to get to grips with (although nearly 30 years later, I am still struggling to master).
About 20 years ago, I shifted my focus from sign making and graphic design, to an art-led living. I range from tiny wood engravings, lino reductions, and sculptures; usually using wood to create - from the reasonably small to the stupidly enormous. Sometimes they're also on fire.
Describe your printmaking process
I've owned an Albion printing press for over year - which has revolutionised my printing. Wood engravings are pretty straight forward to print; however, once you start down the path of make-ready, it flowers into another endless journey of discovery and learning. Currently I use the pin and tab method for the linocut reductions.
How and where did you learn to print?
I have mostly taught myself, although there have been numerous people (most recently James Freemantle of St James Park Press) who have been incredibly generous with giving me guidance and help over the years.
Why printmaking?
Very simple - I fell in love with the look of wood engraving. I was completely intrigued that this incredibly fine print could be got from a piece of wood. I had never come across printmaking as an art from before; and the more I learnt about wood engraving, the more I fell in love with it. With linocut, I came across the Welsh printmaker Ann Lewis in the early days of Twitter. She did this crazy print (that I now know is linocut reduction) which seemed such an incredibly cool way to create a piece of art. So since having my Albion - and then discovering the Ternes Burton pins and tabs from Handprinted - I dived right in. I love learning new stuff and I've loved producing linocuts this Summer.
Where do you work?
I have a studio, workshop and gallery in my home village of East Hoathly (about 8 miles due east of Lewes).
Describe a typical day in your studio.
There is NEVER a typical day EVER! The one thread to every day is: I spend about 80% of my time on admin of one kind or another, and I get so little time to actually create art - it is awful!
How long have you been printmaking?
I first learnt to engrave in 1996. Promptly, I became a dad and I didn't touch my tools for over 10 years. I finally got the bit between my teeth in about 2010. I've only really been printing linocuts since this Summer.
What inspires you?
I am a country boy through and through. The natural world, along with the light and shade on the landscape that I have known all my life; they are forever firing me up.
What is your favourite printmaking product?
My 1849 Albion - I love coming into the studio and seeing it there waiting for me. I've already mentioned Ternes Burton pins and tabs - they have taken all the vagaries out of the registration process, I love those too!
What have you made that you are most proud of?
My Children.
With my art, I'm not sure with my prints - it is always the next one that I am most excited about, I cannot wait to get going on it.
I find there is more 'pride' with some of my sculptures. Turning the 1066 Country Walk into a 31-mile sculpture trial was such a massive undertaking. My annual bonfire sculptures are similarly such huge undertakings; they always built with my friends so I love those - working with a team is a rare opportunity!
Where can we see your work? Where do you sell?
I'm always on the look out for more outlets, so please drop me a line if you'd like to stock my work.
I have a gallery here at the studio. You can also find my work at Farleys House and Gallery (Chiddingly), Kevis House Gallery (Petworth), Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft, Glyndebourne Opera House, Kemptown Bookshop (Brighton), Skylark Bookshop (Lewes) and Much Ado Books (Alfriston). And as I say, always on the look out for other outlets, so please get in touch.
I also have a really exciting Christmas Show starting on the 7th of December. I have Annie Soudain, Howard Phipps, Angie Lewin and Chris Wormell (amongst others) joining me. So if printmaking is your thing then this is going to be a joy to see. The show will be at my studio gallery (Village Works, East Hoathly, BN8 6QA) from the 7th to the 14th December.
What will we be seeing from you next?
I'm currently immersed in my annual bonfire build. Once that is over, I shall be gearing up for my Winter Wood Engraving Classes held here at my studio. I also have a beginners class starting on the 21st November. See my website for more details and to book. It will be lovely to have you along!
And then it will be headlong into Christmas sales. I'm appearing at Tutton and Young's MADE in Brighton at the Brighton Dome - Corn Exchange. I'll also be at the incredible Artist & Makers Fair in Lewes from the 29th November.
Do you have any advice for other printmakers and creatives?
That is a tough one!? I'm not sure - I've always just made things up as I've gone along! I think probably - find what fires you up personally. Look to your own mistakes and embrace those and learn from them. You'll be a better printmaker if you put your efforts and passion into making mistakes and kicking on.