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Prints: Colour, spring and hope by Inky Cuttlefish Studios

Inky Cuttlefish Health and Wellbeing group, run by Anna Alcock, put a twist on this month’s photography theme with creative prints: paintings, […]By Waltham Forest Echo

(Credit: Jenny Thomas)
(Credit: Jenny Thomas)

Inky Cuttlefish Health and Wellbeing group, run by Anna Alcock, put a twist on this month’s photography theme with creative prints: paintings, collages, collagraphs and postcards…

Founder Anna Alcock says her weekly arts group, which meets on Zoom each Wednesday, represents hope to her – not just the unusual prints they’ve created together.

“The overall sense that I have when I am spending two hours [with my group] is one of companionship and hope,” she says. “The pieces I am sharing are filled with life, colour, spring and hope for the time when we can be together again,  see and share what we are doing in person.”

71-year-old Jenny Thomas, a member of the group, says she found hope in the challenge of creating artwork – after finding herself in a lonely place during lockdown.

She shared: “Lockdown hit everyone very hard, but perhaps more when you live on your own, and at 71, I was struggling at times and missing my family and friends, and social interaction.

“The health and wellbeing course, run so selflessly by Anna, was at first a bit scary but soon became a challenge. It was an event each week to look forward to.

“In the process, I’ve learnt so much about lino cutting and making prints – ones with dual colours and reduction prints – also collages, collographs and making postcards.

“It really tested me to do it, as I wasn’t confident about the results. But meeting new people and with a creative local friend in the mix – plus lots of encouragement from Anna and the others – I really feel I’ve grown in confidence and am very lucky to be a part of this group.”

Find out more about Inky Cuttlefish Studios and their groups here


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