Contributor post by Emily Westbrooks of From China Village



Hi Poppytalk readers!

A few weeks ago, I signed up for a lino-printing course through Trinity College. The Trinity Arts Workshop runs classes all throughout the school year that are open to the public. Their motto is Art for Everyone - great, huh?!

But the best part? These classes are great for locals and tourists alike. What better souvenir of your travels than a print or painting you made on your trip?



The classes are all held in a small studio right on the back side of the Trinity College campus - I almost felt like a Trinity student walking in for my class. The studio is dark and cozy, with sketches and drawings from the other classes hung all over the walls and easels scattered everywhere.

Marta Wakula-Mac, a Polish-born lino artist with a sweet Etsy shop, teaches the three-hour Saturday lino-printing classes every other week throughout the school year. Marta is really friendly, gives clear instructions, and is the perfect instructor for beginners or more intermediate lino artists.




We were encouraged to bring drawings or images for inspiration, and I decided to use the quintessential Georgian Dublin door as my inspiration. I think it would be so neat to come to Dublin for a visit, take a few photos of something in the city that's inspired you, then make a lino-print of it to take home as a souvenir! You could even stop into the National Gallery right around the corner for some inspiration on your way. And if you're traveling with not-so-arty companions, you can send them to the Trinity Science Gallery and the Book of Kells inside the campus while you're taking a class!

Until next time, slán abhaile!

For more information on all Trinity Arts Workshop courses, including painting, life drawing, life clay modeling, pottery, lino-printing and screen printing, check out their website (trinityartsworkshop.webatu.com).

 
Emily Westbrooks is a Dublin-based creative and travel writer, artist and blogger. Raised and educated in Maine, Emily married an Irishman and moved to Dublin in 2008. She lives with her husband, Michael, on the northside of Dublin. Originally planning only to stay for a year, she now calls Dublin home. She loves exploring Dublin, adventuring through the hills of Ireland, and traveling around Europe,. And she really loves to write about her adventures, which she shares over on From China Village. She's passionate about design, and can't wait to change your perception of Irish craft and design.