Derek Wood
I studied fashion & textiles at Ravensbourne College of Art & Design. After graduating I worked as a textile designer, initially in a design studio & then later as a freelance textile designer. I also worked as a library assistant and media technician at London Metropolitan University, in the art & design faculty for over 30 years until retiring in 2013.
From my background in textile design, I found myself more drawn towards painting and printmaking. As I further developed my practice, I studied etching and relief printmaking at Morley College, and bookbinding at the City Lit.
After moving to Royston 5 years ago, I joined a Linocut workshop at Royston Museum. The museum has a 19th century Columbia printing press, which we use for our relief printmaking. It has been great to join a really friendly and supportive group of artists, and further develop my printmaking.
I have been mostly making linocuts which are based on my ‘plein-air’ drawings or from still life observation. It’s very important for me to impart a sense of the places I have visited, in my drawings and prints. I feel most inspired when I am in the landscape, experiencing the changing seasons, the play of light through trees or on water.
I am really excited to have to have been selected to become a member of the Cambridge Drawing Society, and I look forward to taking part in their activities and exhibitions.
All my work can be seen on Instagram: @dewood58_royston