Still Waters & Wild Waves: A Printmaker's Journey

by Angela Harding

A blue-green sketchbook sits at the edge of my studio desk. It is covered in decorative paper that is now frayed and tattered. These marks are evidence of its travels, as far north as Shetland and as far south as the Isles of Scilly. Of days at sea and cycling across moorland. It has sat beside me on beaches and cliff tops, on small island planes and huge ferries, on trains and bicycles. Going to places of old that I have revisited many times, as well as new destinations long lived in my imagination. Some of the pages are stained with Scottish rain and spilt coffees. This sketchbook holds scribbles and memories that tell the tales of still waters and wild waves. Its pages are a record of a printmaker's journey and they are at the heart of this book.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Nature

175 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 2024

About the author

Angela Harding is a fine art painter and illustrator based in Wing, Rutland, specialising in lino prints and giftware inspired by British birds and countryside.

Reviews

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Slam, swoosh, flash! A spray of feathers spills into the round garden pond. A sparrow hawk whooshes past, knocking cherry blossom petals into the greenish-black water.”

I got Still Waters & Wild Waves as a Christmas present for myself. This beautiful book mixes a lot of things. It’s a journal, full of poetry, retracing various journeys and encounters. On the pages, you’ll find pictures, sketches, watercolors, and texts. No matter the medium, you can find the connection the author/artist has with nature, with water and with the places she visits. Reading this book felt like being a little mouse watching her creative process, and it was a journey by itself, a pleasure to accompany her all along the pages, even if you can also have it as a coffee table book, and open the pages randomly. You’ll always find something beautiful and intimate.

[Zarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book filled with lino art, paintings, a diary, early sketches, and photography, chronicling Angela's adventures along and on the water. She's one of my favourite artists and I always relish seeing her work. It was a particular delight to see a selection of her illustrations and drawings from around the Knepp Estate as I was lucky enough to see some of them in person at a talk she did with Isabella Tree for the children's edition of "Wilding" (Isabella's book about her and her husband's rewilding project at Knepp). My only minor niggle with Still Waters & Wild Waves is that the written word on the page did not always match the accompanying visuals and, on some occasions, mentioned things that weren't pictured at all; leaving the reader wanting (e.g. the story about orcas). 4.5 stars.

[Julie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful book by Angela Harding. I love her sketchbook pages.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a charming sneak peek into notes and sketches and the inspiration from the places Angela Harding visited. The illustrations are wonderful. A book to return to again and again.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply stunning!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous printmaker, birder and, in the company of her husband, sailor. Commentary on the scenery and birds she depicts in her prints. Awesome, lovely book.

[Trish Graboske · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her prints. I do wish that she had included notes on her print techniques in the back, as she has in other books. Any comments by her on her printmaking would be welcome!

[Heather Couchman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful words and pictures.