Meet the Maker: Mari Hunt
Mari is an artist and printmaker who lives with her family at the foot of the South Downs in West Sussex. She has no formal art training but has always loved to draw - anything and everything! Her work is bold and distinctive with a vibrant use of colour.
For Mari, everything starts with her quirky and characterful illustrations, which are reinterpreted as screen prints and as iPad paintings. Her art has been described as ‘artful simplicity’, and we feel this describes her work perfectly!
As Mari has a learning disability and is autistic, her art adventure is facilitated by me – I’m mum - and by Jo Telling, her print-making mentor. A few years ago, we set up ‘Mari Hunt Artworks’ to nurture and celebrate her creativity and to help her to share her work more widely. This has brought many exciting and unexpected opportunities and widened her horizons in a wonderful way.
Mari loves to be busy and currently attends Worthing’s The Sand Project, where she is supported to build real-world skills through personalised practical learning. Mari also attends Superstar Arts and The Big-Eyed Ears, both of which provide local creative projects for adults with learning disabilities.
Aside from art, Mari is a massive music fan and always draws to a soundtrack of her favourite artists – anything from English folk to Harry Styles. An especially happy day for Mari is a café day, with cinema, Mario Kart and a trip to the family allotment, all with her sister, if possible!
Describe Mari's printmaking process.
Mari chooses one of her original illustrations, created on A3, using water-based ink markers. Her mentor creates photo screens of more detailed designs, and Mari uses the scan and cut machine for simpler vinyl stencils.
How and where did Mari learn to print?
Mari began her screen-printing journey at Worthing’s Superstar Arts. It is here that her ‘The Cure’ design, endorsed by Robert Smith, was, and continues to be printed on cards, tees, mugs and tea towels. It is sold locally and online around the world, raising funds for the charity that supports her.
Why printmaking?
The structured, repetitive and tactile nature of screen printing provides a calming and rewarding experience for Mari. It is a process that she has become adept at. Mari has a strong work ethic, is not discouraged by setbacks and always likes to see projects through.
Where does Mari work?
Mari prints at all of her weekly educational and social provisions. Her personal projects take place once a week, in our family garage, amidst the tools, bikes and gardening equipment!
Describe a typical day in the studio.
The session starts with a meeting between Mari, Jo and me, where we discuss ideas, upcoming print projects, exhibitions, and sales. Mari and Jo then choose a soundtrack for the morning and print together until lunch.
How long has Mari been printmaking?
Mari has been printmaking personal projects for around 3 years.
What inspires Mari?
Mari is inspired to draw a wide variety of subjects, although birds have become a recent focus. She also loves to draw portraits. Mari readily captures the essence of her subjects and represents them in a unique, joyful and often amusing way.
What is Mari's favourite printmaking product?
Mari always uses Speedball Acrylic Screen Printing Inks and A3 Snowden paper pads from Handprinted.
What has Mari made that she is most proud of?
Mari says that her favourite screen print is of her much-loved tabby cat, (who sometimes likes to assist!), closely followed by her Harry Styles design.
Where can we see Mari's work? Where does she sell?
All aspects of Mari’s art adventure are captured on Instagram.
She sells a small selection of greetings cards on Etsy.
Her prints and cards are available at:
- Inspired in Worthing.
- ArtiSAND in Worthing.
- Hello DODO, studio & shop in Worthing (‘Cats Amongst the Pigeons’ pop-up)
- For The Cure design, it’s at Superstar Arts.
What will we be seeing from Mari next?
Mari is a member of Steyning Arts and will sell at Venue 5 of the annual May Art Trail, during the last 2 weekends in May, including the Bank Holiday Monday.
Mari currently has 3 bird prints in Worthing Museum and Art Gallery’s ‘Open 26’ exhibition, running until September, and sells her bird card collection there too.
She will also be part of HelloDoDo’s ‘Cats Amongst The Pigeons’ pop-up shop and online shop from 4th June to 4th July.
Does Mari have any advice for other printmakers and creatives?
Mari says: “Screen printing is fun. I like to keep my original drawings, so it’s great to be able to make copies. I like changing the colours”.
To see more from Mari, follow her on Instagram, managed by her mum, Helen!
