'In Our Present Joy' is an original, completely handmade linocut print which has been designed and printed in Devon, UK.

The print depicts deliberately nostalgic and happy scenes, set in fictitious (purposely idyllic!) landscapes. The title, ‘In Our Present Joy,’ is a line originally from ‘The Still and Silent Ocean,’ a song of hope by an extraordinary musician, the late Peter Bellamy, as part of his folk-opera The Transports. 

It is also reminiscent of 1 Peter 1:6 — “In all this you greatly rejoice, even though you may endure many trials for a little while.” A subtle call to appreciate the metaphorical ‘seasons of our lives’ and to believe that no hardship is in vain. 

The design is also partly a personal homage to Arts & Crafts-era artist John Moyr Smith (and is suggestive of a set of Minton tiles, or perhaps panels from a 19th century comic strip). Yet it’s also a wish to revel, each season, in whatever happiness one may find during this dark and difficult world. Flying a kite; growing or harvesting for the table; skating on a frozen pond. And to be immensely grateful that we can, when so many others can’t.

This print is a Limited First Edition of 10, and each one is titled and signed by me. The design is printed onto beautiful and sustainable Nepalese Lokta (tree bark) paper, which has been hand-torn and so features four deckled edges.

DIMENSIONS:
Printed image size: 15" x 15" approx
Total size (incl. paper): 19" x 19" approx.
The print/s are unmounted.
Please note: I have left a substantial border around the image so you can choose how you'd like the piece framed and trim to your preference.

Important: I cannot guarantee that your printed item will be the exact one shown in the example photographs in the shop. As everything is handmade, there will inevitably be some slight variations with each printing; likewise coloured prints with hand-mixed inks may vary slightly in pigment between batches. This is all part of the charm and uniqueness of your purchase, as no two items will be exactly the same! If the paper has been cut or torn by hand, please also expect very minor differences in size.