Artist profile: Lisé Jolly - inspired by nature

Artist profile: Lisé Jolly – inspired by nature

Lisé Jolly is an English artist now based in the Piedmont region of Italy. Inspired by the beauty of nature she works in a variety of media and has created two exclusive Christmas card designs for the National Garden Scheme. This year, her best-selling ‘A Christmas Garden’ design has also been made into a limited edition tea towel in high-quality 100% Panama cotton. We caught up with her to find out more…

How long have you been an artist?

For as long as I can remember. I always preferred painting, sketching, drawing and creating to the TV and would do something creative as soon as I got home from school. I don’t feel a day is complete if I haven’t created something.

What inspires you?

I am primarily an artist but I also have degrees in Ecology and Landscape Architecture and am a qualified yoga teacher. All these disciplines marry my love of, and passion for, the planet, plants, wildlife, conservation, landscapes and gardens and flowers.

I love to walk and explore and am inspired by nature and, as a yoga teacher, I am inspired by the spirituality and sense of a place. I always endeavour to capture this in one medium or another be it a lino print, sketch, painting or botanical casting.

As an artist I enjoy the physical creation of a lino print, the sketching, planning and cutting – all tactile skills. I also love the fact that a lino print can be recreated over and over again and in many different colour ways.

I also create sculptural botanical castings in fine plaster as these are a way of capturing plants and flowers gathered on my walks.

How long does it take to create a design?

With regards to lino printing it all depends on the complexity of the design and whether I am going to create a single block print or a three or four layered colour lino print. The most time is usually taken up with the creating and sketching phase. Once I am happy with the design then it can take anywhere from a day to a week to transfer the design to lino and complete the actual lino cut. Once the cut is done the inking up and printing of the first print is the best part. It is always so exciting to see that first print appear as I peel the paper away from the lino.

What does the National Garden Scheme mean to you?

The National Garden Scheme is so special in that it brings together so much generosity of spirit along with the beauty of nature. It gives people, who may not have access to nature on their doorstep, the chance to get out and experience the artistry of gardeners and of nature.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that two of my favourite things, yoga and gardens, both ground you and hold you in the present moment.

How does it feel creating exclusive artwork to support a charity like the National Garden Scheme?

It is an absolute honour and delight to create a design for the National Garden Scheme and to know that by doing so I am helping support a charity with a vision that I hold very close to my heart.