My day in cups of tea Printmaker Lou Tonkin
PRINTMAKER LOU TONKIN TELLS US ABOUT HER DAY IN CUPPAS
Tell us about your first cuppa of the day. I have three children and the first cup of the day is squished between waking them up and the bustle of preparing breakfast, packed lunches and so on. The first cup is also when I get to use my favourite mug (made by John Webb, who’s a potter in Lostwithiel). I always have a coffee, made in a cafetiere. How would you describe where you live? It’s a home, full of stuff, lots of it handmade. A friend once said it’s a bit like a museum; each object is interesting and well curated. And where do you work? I work from home. My commute is the dog walk! That’s also when I get my best ideas. My work is all printed from lino blocks with proper ink and my first job is to clear down from the day before and package up orders. I usually grab a second mug of coffee while doing the other tasks. We can get you something! What do you fancy? An Earl Grey Rooibos would be lovely please, in a pot with a dash of milk. What do you do to switch off with your cuppa? I’ll maybe have a little look at Instagram. My favourites include @midgleygreen, @clivebowenceramics, @patrandle, @hannahbatstonejewellery, and @floriangadsby. A sit in the garden is probably better though. How does the rest of the working day look? I mostly eat lunch on my own – poached eggs are a favourite. Then it’s more of the same in the afternoon, before the school pick up. I try to down tools when the children come home, and then pick it up again later in the evening. Time for bed. What do you fancy to finish off the day? A bit more Rooibos? Or hot milk and honey with my loves.