“Printmaking encompasses many different techniques of printing ink and paints with a matrix onto different surfaces including but not limiting to paper and fabrics,” explains Loique Allain, who has been practising the linocut method since she was 11 years old.

She says, “The method involves carving the lino with woodcarving tools and then rolling ink evenly onto the surface and then printing onto paper or fabric. I use a baren to handprint all my prints now.”

In the verdant expanse of Daylesford, where the rhythms of nature orchestrate the daily symphony of life, two artists have found a sanctuary for their creative endeavours. Local artists Loique Allain and Clare Ainsworth have recently opened Wombat Hill Print Studio.

In her early years, Clare wasn’t as enthusiastic about becoming an artist, she says, “the idea of becoming a vet, a fashion designer or an archaeologist were all far more exciting to me.”

Clare has been working as a graphic designer and illustrator for 12 years, I’ve found myself specialising in artwork and posters for the food and wine world. I’m now making artwork for myself too. After so many years working to express the ideas of my clients, it was inevitable that one day I would want to focus on some of my own.”

A few years ago, Clare met Loique through friends when she moved to Daylesford from Sydney. Around the same time she was gifted a printing press and began utilising it in her practice.

“I made a lino print poster for an event at Bar Merenda called Pranzo in Sicilia. I love the balance between simple solid shapes and areas of more chaotic, painterly detail. It’s a simple idea, a table set under a lemon tree, but I think it’s perfectly evocative of a long, leisurely lunch in Sicily.”

Her work amplifies the pleasure of the world’s languorous moments, “Our life here revolves around the seasons - watching vegetables and flowers grow and die, growing grapes and making wine, cooking, drinking wine, eating. A glass of wine or a plate of food is usually a feature of my work!”

“I think printmaking appeals to me because it lies somewhere between design, illustration and art. The graphic designer in me needs to plan out the artwork to some extent, but it’s always the mistakes and accidents that happen during the process that give it the most character…a sense of spontaneity, an embrace of the hand-made and the imperfect.”

In the context of art, mistakes and accidents can also be viewed as fateful coincidences where chance becomes the sum of our actions. Making sense of the chaos is what we all do to keep moving forward, in Clare’s work it’s a lively feeling of atmosphere.

Loique’s work n the other hand is very much grounded in the vitality of the world around her, the works are a reflection of the vast and noisy symbiosis of nature.

“These recent prints are of Cornish Hill Reserve in Daylesford,” says Loique. “I walk regularly here and have always felt inspired by the landscape. I endeavoured to convey our connections to the landscape by exposing changing perspectives.”

“The region is inspiring as there are so many different formations and life in these countries. There are so many native and introduced species of animals and birds, there is forest, body of waters, rivers, aquatic plants, rock formations and many more.”

Works are for sale at Wombat Hill Print Studio, open most days between 10am - 4pm. Loique is running monthly linocut workshops of up to 6 people details can be found on her instagram or via email and Clare’s work is available for purchase from her website.

STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL PHOTOS BY CHRI S TURNER

Wombat Hill Print Studio
Howe Street, Daylesford
10am - 4pm most days
Clare's work - clareainsworth.cargo.site
Loique's work - loiqueallain.com