'The Witches Thimble' linocut print

'The Witches Thimble' is inspired by the folklore of plants, specifically the Harebell flower. Fairy folk and witches are strongly associated with these flowers; witches could turn in to hares to avoid detection using the harebell in a spell to transform themselves. In other folklore it was thought the juice of a crushed flower was used in a spell to make them fly and if eaten by non witches the flower could help people see fairies in the underworld.

Other names include Scottish Bluebells, Witch's Bells, Devils Bell, Fairy Thimbles and Old Mans Bell.

I was wary of focussing on the hare element - I've always been a little scathing about the abundance of hares in the printmaking community* - so I had the idea the witches could use the actual flower of the Harebell as part of an act of transformation or an act of disappearance.

'The Witches Thimble' is the second in an occasional series of linocut prints inspired by the folklore of plants, the first was 'Take Refuge' inspired by the Peony.

It's a two layer linocut print HoSho Japanese printing paper, printed with Caligo oil-based ink. It measures approximately 27.5cm x 39cm. A small signature and edition number is located at the base of the print. The edition is 100.

As with all hand-made linocut prints there may be some tiny variations between prints but that's all part of the aesthetic and charm of the medium.

For more process pictures and videos take a look at my Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/matpringle

Prints will be sent in strong card tubes by Recorded Delivery.

* the only hare I've ever featured in a linocut print was a dead one representing Rowan Morrison from my Wicker Man print.