Nov/Dec 2021

26
South Woodford Village Gazette
cut out for
christmas
Local artist James Valentine has produced a series of linocut
Christmas cards which reflect the bright colours associated
with the old Norse celebrations of Yule
My working background has always
been in education. After moving
to London in 1981 I taught art and
design in various schools in the East End of
London. Since retiring from teaching, I have
taught life drawing to adult groups and for
four years taught arts and crafts to adults
with special needs in Tower Hamlets.
I now enjoy working at home in my studio
producing a variety of art pieces. My love of
printmaking has led me this year to produce
a series of seasonal cards that I have called
Yuletide Greetings.
The word ‘Yule’ comes from an old Norse term
which referred to a season of hunting after
the harvest was done. As it fell in December,
it became associated with the Christmas
holiday. Bright colours like gold, silver, red,
green and white were then adopted into
Christian Christmas celebrations.
The technique I have used to produce my
artwork is called linoprinting, a type of relief
printing using a sharp, V-shaped tool to gouge
lines into a piece of lino. An image on paper
is achieved when ink is rolled onto the lino
block, then burnished onto paper. Durer,
Picasso and Warhol are just some of the artists
who have used linoprint in their work.
I have exhibited my artwork mainly online
and in several establishments on Wanstead
High Street and community centres. Returning
to education, I have organised murals for
school playgrounds and the local library in
Forest Gate.
South Woodford has always been a
destination place for me to meet friends
for coffee and a chat. Indeed, I have been a
volunteer at The Childrens’ Society on George
Lane for over 12 years. This has been a very
rewarding experience in raising awareness
and funding for children who require help in
many different circumstances. I also hope next
year to display my work in the independent
coffee shop Tipi, a great place to have a coffee
and a cake.
As for the future, I hope to return to an
island in the Mediterranean that holds many
memories for me. That island is Malta, with its
dramatic coastlines ideal for deep-sea diving.
I have painted many colourful landscapes
there. Being a very Christian island, Malta has
many churches, and during the Christmas
period, each church celebrates with colourful
pageants, processions, fireworks and joyful
singing.
James’ Yuletide Greetings cards are
available in packs of six for £6, with
free local postage. To view all the
designs, visit swvg.co.uk/yuletide. For
more information and to order, email
jvalentine53@hotmail.co.uk
To advertise, call 020 8819 0595 or visit swvg.co.uk