Ally Wright – portfolio

Contact the artist

allyd30[at]hotmail.co.uk

Exhibition information

My original linocut designs are drawn, cut and printed by hand. Themes include urban, rural and coastal landscape, animals and the seasons.

I produce a mix of single-colour designs, and those making use of multiple colours, finding the different approaches suit different subjects. The prints created in two or more colours use will sometimes use the reduction printing technique, when a single printing block is used and one colour is printed from the block first, before sections are cut out and the next colour is printed, overlaying the first, and so on. Alternatively, I create one block per colour and build up the final prints in this way – it takes longer, but is more forgiving of mistakes than reduction printing. Last but not least, the ‘rainbow roll’ technique allows for two or more colours to be printed with one printing block and one brayer (roller), to create a print with bands of colours.

All prints are produced as short runs, printed on 240-250gsm card and exhibited framed, using either new FSC-certified wooden frames, or recycled frames. In addition to the original linocuts, some have been reproduced as sets of cards.
 

Artist information

My interest in lino cutting and printing began several years ago with a one-day course led by expert printmaker Claire Florey-Hitchcox, but it was only during 2025 that I could devote the time needed to learn more and develop my technique. I have subsequently built up a portfolio of work and started to take commissions.

An important part of my development as a linocut artist has been learning which visual aspects of the world around me that pique my interest can be rendered in an interesting and appealing form as linocuts. My work represents for me a distillation of the essential, or most interesting, elements of what’s in front of me into a new form with its own visual language.

Often what attracts me are human-made structures such as buildings or bridges, with their bold lines and instantly recognisable shapes. Examples of the built environment in juxtaposition with nature are a strong area of interest. My life outside art (as both a viewer and a creator) is focussed on sustainability and care for the natural environment, so you’ll see plenty of examples where flora and fauna become my central subjects. I love to take inspiration from my own garden and places I’ve visited, our cats, and other animals, to create designs which find resonance with others too. 

I’m exhibiting at Artweeks 2026 for the first time, with my husband and experienced exhibitor, Bruce Wright. One aspect we hope visitors will enjoy is where we have used the same subject as our starting point, but where our chosen media and styles – Bruce is a figurative painter in watercolours and oils – result in very different works of art.