Meet the Maker: Nicole Revy

I am a linocut printmaker trained in illustration. Working as Prints by the Bay I create narrative-driven prints about femininity and women’s connection to nature. Using one-colour and reduction linoprint, my illustrative work blends story, symbolism, and soul to evoke intuition and belonging.

Describe your printmaking process.

I have an ongoing ‘Ideas’ note on my iPhone, which I’m constantly adding to (and ticking off as I go!) . It’s been growing since 2020. I find that ideas for prints, or seeds of ideas, can pop into my head at the most inopportune of times. Often when driving- or walking to work. If I don’t note them down there and then, they could be gone forever! Some ideas get turned into lino instantly, others can take a good few years.

I often start with a squiggle in my sketchbook- which then gets refined in my iPad Procreate app. I find this a very useful tool for planning compositions, especially reduction or multi-layered prints. If it's a single colour block, I usually just have the central figure/s planned out, then the rest loosely sketched, which gets refined on the block- or drawn straight onto lino, depending on the design. Carving is my favourite part- I am a sucker for a true crime podcast whilst I wile away the hours working on the block.

How and where did you learn to print?

I had a module of printmaking during my illustration degree but never studied lino. It's something I found myself when scrolling on Instagram. Some of the work being produced really impressed me so I bought a kit in 2019 and fell instantly in love with the process. I don’t create in any other medium now!

Why printmaking?

There’s something magical about the process- it's an alchemy- transforming a dull grey slab of lino into something beautiful by hand. There's an immediacy to the process which I love. Single colour blocks are like a form of creative problem solving, working out which areas to carve and leave. With pencil or pen drawings, you can leave suggestive lines unfinished, whereas printmaking involves stark decision-making. I love that the process informs the final piece- my initial sketches never look like the finished print- and I love that. Seeing your print for the first time is a joy that never gets old.

Where do you work?

I have a little garden studio in the centre of Bridport, Dorset.

Describe a typical day in your studio.

I like to split my time- admin/dry work for half the day (packing orders, email replying, etc) and then the afternoon I spend being creative- planning new blocks or carving. I also like to spend at least 1 day a week printing older blocks to stay stocked up. This increases as the year goes on- near Christmas time, I’m in there 2 or 3 days a week to keep up with stock.

How long have you been printmaking?

Since 2019 so coming up 6 years now

What inspires you?

A mix of the everyday, and a bit of otherworldly magic! Mainly the magic of nature, mother earth and stories/folklore that mix the two. I make artwork about women in nature- swimming, walking, spending time in the land and with each other. I basically make artwork about things I like to do! My illustration background means that I always like to have a narrative thread running through each piece.

What is your favourite printmaking product?

The grey hessian-backed lino plus Pfeil carve tools.

What have you made that you are most proud of?

I made my very own art calendar last year. I made 12 new blocks, and the layout and graphic design was all me using procreate and photoshop- I’m very proud of it and it was a real hit- selling out of 3 print runs! I’m currently working on another for 2027.

Where can we see your work? Where do you sell?

I sell on my own website plus at Holly & Co
I also have work in Glastonbury at Heart of the Tribe, plus my cards pop up in cafes and shops all over the UK!

What will we be seeing from you next?

I’ve got a year of exciting commissions and collabs, print fairs, markets, plus another calendar and some festival appearances. I have a solo show at White Chalk gallery coming up in May.

Do you have any advice for other printmakers and creatives?

Keep playing, experimenting and working on things that inspire you to carve- the medium is forgiving and versatile- nothing is off the table!