Statement
Fiona Smith
Fiona studied art and printmaking at University in Lancaster. She taught art and design in secondary schools for a number of years while also developing her own practice as a printmaker. In 2017 she left teaching to pursue her printmaking more seriously. She specializes in a non-toxic form of etching, which uses a copper sulphate solution on aluminium plates. Fiona’s inspiration is drawn directly from the world around her, from the countryside and open spaces. As a regular runner she is able to study the rural landscape while moving through it. Her method of etching onto aluminium captures the soft tonal differences in the layers light and texture of the landscape. Much of her work has been based on her home county, particularly the coastline around Hampshire/West Sussex boarder, though she also finds inspiration on her travels into more dramatic environments such as Pembrokeshire or the Alps. Fiona works from her studio in the heart of Hampshire. She is a member of Omega Printmakers in Portsmouth where she also helps out as a technician on the open access days. Fiona has run workshops for schools and art groups in Hampshire and West Sussex. She runs regular art classes in and around Overton.