MEET THE MAKER

Using original drawings and a vintageinspired colour pale e, Louise Body creates beautiful bespoke wallpapers

Based on the south coast, artist Louise Body hand-prints exquisite wallpapers

Longing to create wallcoverings di erent from those found on the high street, Louise hand-prints intricate vintage-style wallpaper from her studio, nestled in the coastal town of St Leonards-on-Sea. Having collaborated with the likes of Paul Smith and Dr Martens, Louise passes on her design knowledge to others by o ering printing courses from her workshop. But, as she tells H&A, she fell into the world of wallpaper quite by accident…

Tell us about your background

I’ve had an interest in painting and drawing since I was a child – both of my grandmothers were artists and my parents went to art school. Some of my favourite memories are of spending time with my grandma in her garden studio. Art materials were always to hand at home and being creative was very much encouraged. I went on to study ne art at No ingham Trent University.

What initially drew you to wallpaper design? I started my career in

wallpaper by accident. I was involved in an art exhibition in Brighton and, rather than producing a new painting, I hand-printed some wallpaper. It wasn’t very fashionable at that time, which is what appealed to me. I liked the idea of making repeating artwork for walls and creating something that was di erent from traditional wallpaper.

What inspires you?

My wallpapers o en have a vintage feel, and this is largely to do with the colours I use – dark grey, sage green and coral pink. I’m inspired by nature but also the clothes that I wear and the objects in my house – even a conversation could encourage a new piece of work.

Tell us about your process

In the past my designs have always started with a drawing, painting or photograph – or a combination of the three. I would then photo-expose these onto a silk screen and they would be etched onto rollers for exographic printing. I also use lino printing, which starts with a drawing and gets transferred onto lino. I handcarve the lino block and print the original. The nal

wallpapers get printed for me in the north of England. Nowadays, because it o ers endless possibilities, I use digital printing – but the le still comes from an original print or drawing.

Describe your studio for us

My workshop is based in St Leonards-on-Sea – it used to be an old granary, so has an industrial look. I have lots of space, which allows me to o er courses. I recently knocked through from my studio into a store room and it revealed some old wood panelling that I am very pleased with. I share the building with other makers, which is great as I can pop next door for tea and a chat.

Any proud moments?

My collaborations with Paul Smith and Dr Martens are de nitely up there, but more recently I’ve been teaching wallpaper and fabric printing. I’m extremely proud of the results my students achieve – it’s very satisfying to pass on knowledge and nurture creativity in others.

What are your future plans? I’ve started painting again and I am currently working

towards my upcoming exhibition. I’m also developing some new fabrics that are inspired by my landscape paintings and I’ve got lots of workshop dates lined up. I’m just about to teach on a creative retreat in Portugal as well, so I think that’s probably enough to be ge ing on with for now!

‘I’m inspired by nature, the objects in my house… even a conversation could encourage new work.’

You can see more of Louise Body’s designs at louisebody.com

Block printing is a key technique in Louise’s bank of processes, and it all begins with pen and paper: ‘I start with a drawing that I work into a repeat pattern. This is transferred onto a lino block, which I carve.’ Then comes the colour: ‘I often use muted, subdued hues, as if faded by the sun,’ she says.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Louise finesses a multi-media design, which started life as a sketch; the artisan inspects one of her more natural patterns; considered touches of colour bring detail to this soothing print; Louise’s rich library of papers.