Kate Smith Prints

05 July 2025

A story of woodland wonders and finding healing through creativity.

In the heart of the New Forest, printmaker Kate Smith discovered the healing power of creating and what began as a personal journey soon became much more. Here’s her story.

I’ve had a long relationship with printmaking. It kept coming in and out of my life in the form of school classes, workshops and evening courses before I let it take over in 2019. I just couldn’t leave it alone. I love the combination of long relaxing hours of flow carving lino and frenzied play with ink and papers that either left me ecstatic or frustrated. Either way, I can’t get enough!

In 2019 I had a really rough patch with my mental health. It left me pacing up and down at all hours and spending days in bed. Art became my solace during this time. Whether it was taking my frustration out on the page or getting lost in making, it helped me through. Overcoming little adversities in my sketchbook gave me a tiny feeling of control again and when I was well enough I returned to printmaking. The structure of printing held me. I knew where I needed to begin and end, and that got me through.

I knew where I needed to begin and end, and that got me through

After a couple of years I began to share the healing power of making art with others. I facilitated art groups with a local mental health charity. I continue to teach printing now, without the focus on mental health, but with the knowledge that every journey made in art is one that enriches us in ways that go beyond the page.

I have a studio in the beautiful New Forest. This National Park has a unique symbiosis with the people that live here. Locals that have lived here for generations are called Commoners and hold rights to graze some of their animals on the land. These animals help shape their environment through where they chose to go and what they chose to eat.

From the funghi that grow on the pony dung to the birds that thrive on grassland naturally mowed by the ponies, it’s a delicate balance that has endured for hundreds of years. I find the balance of ecosystems fascinating and often balance my images of animals or birds with foliage or trees to illustrate the relationships that exist.

The New Forest provides me with endless amounts of inspiration. The land turns from dense thickets of gorse and neatly trimmed grass to the tallest trees I’ve seen, and back down to coastal areas with some of the richest and varied birdlife in the UK. I love to walk amongst these gorgeous landscapes with my sketchbook.

Myself and 6 other artists are resident at Coda Music and Arts Centre; previously a Victorian farm, now home to a buzzing gallery, cafe and classrooms. At the front of these lovingly restored buildings is a lush meadow. This time of year it is full of ox-eye daisies and forget me-nots. It’s a very restorative place to spend time and think.

I enjoy listening to my favourite folk songs whilst losing myself in the flow of carving lino in my studio. I used to think having a studio was a luxury I would never be able to afford, but by sharing my space with a fellow artist I’ve managed to find a quiet haven to focus on my work and a community of like-minded friends to share ideas with.

My work reflects nature in such a way that I hope it inspires that childhood delight we all remember from seeing a brightly coloured bird for the first time, a pony in the wild or a weird and wonderful mushroom. When I was little my favourite stories were of hedgerow mice that held summer parties, cats that drove fire engines and, of course, rabbits that stole farmers carrots. That sense of awe didn’t leave me as I grew up and had my own encounters with nature; ones which I now aim to capture in my work.

My most recent print is ‘Shaggy Ink Cap’. It’s a 2 plate lino cut print. This means that I’ve carved 2 pieces of lino, inked them up and then printed one on top of the other. This adds depth to the image and allows the eye to see the fullness and shape of each mushroom as outlined in the detail. Such is the dreaminess of this image that I’ve been asked more than once if the small flying creatures are fairies. I’ll let you decide.

This element of otherworldliness is something I’m beginning to explore in my work by learning more about the folk stories that exist around the New Forest.

I believe craftsmanship is something to be treasured and passed on.

My most memorable moments have been working with students in teaching them how to carve lino and make their own prints. My favourite time in a workshop is when they all go quiet when carving, and I feel happy in the knowledge that I’ve passed on the gift of finding flow to another human being.

A very important part of my artistic journey has been finding my tribe. I was lucky enough to be enrolled as a member of the New Forest Marque Inspired. This group supports local artisans and artists who live and work in the area, and are truly inspired by it. We meet monthly to explore different areas of the forest and discuss ways of working together. Receiving the seal of the Marque was a special moment for me.

I believe craftsmanship is something to be treasured and passed on. All of my prints are hand made and I think you can tell that by looking at them.

The paper I use is hand made Japanese paper using a 300 hundred year old technique. The Awagami Factory in Yoshinogawa village share videos of their paper being made that I recommend people watch. The knowledge that my work sits atop this foundation is something that I treasure. I’m currently looking for that next work of art to add my own voice to.

I truly believe in sharing my processes and experiences with others. If I’ve found something that lights me up; it seems selfish to keep that to myself.

I would like to work with other artists to expand the surfaces I use for my designs. I’d like to work on ceramics and textiles in the future, but in a considered and artful way.

I’m continuing to explore the New Forest and expand my collection of magical moments in nature.

I’m also expanding my workshop programme to cover more areas in Hampshire and more ways of playing with print.

IMAGES ©Kate Smith Prints 2025

Thank you Kate, your story made me smile more times than I can count, perhaps it’s the shared wonder of the natural world. It was a delight to read your story and it’s a lovely reminder that creativity doesn’t always arrive with a plan.

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