Artist 'lights up' Lancashire with lamp shades

Since starting her business Papershades in 2016, the collage artist uses impressions of different landscapes on fragments of paper to create unique designs.

After being inspired by Lancashire from a young age, Rosalind has used paper to depict the Pendle Hills, Lancaster Castle, Forest of Bowland, Standing Stones and the seaside landmarks of Blackpool - the beach, pier and tower.

Her fascination with the county and the Pendle Witches growing up have influenced her newest project.

"I see the world in fragments of paper. If I did a still life or a portrait, I would be able to find the shades of greens or pinks that I needed," said Rosalind.

"With rather more time than usual in my studio, I’ve been creating lampshade designs of places I’m fond of. I love Lancashire, I lived in Manchester for a few years as a child and feel a great affinity with the county.

"I have travelled the world of my imagination during lockdown, and took inspiration from places that I personally have a connection with. I visit Lancashire as much as I can now I no longer live in the area."

In her studio, Rosalind is surrounded by boxes of materials, using tissue, wrapping paper and torn pages from magazines to make the interesting designs, which she then prints onto panels of special paper.

"The panels are assembled using my unique perspex ‘wheels’. The lampshades are flat packed and available from the website, to give people the fun of constructing them at home.

"I know my way around my supply, I can probably take just one magazine and use that as my pallet by finding all the colours and textures that I need."

Her fascination in using different types of paper began in her school days, when teachers would ask about the different textures she had stuck on oil paintings.

After taking up a portrait painting course as an adult, Rosalind was told to go to art school and soon after became a mature student at the City and Guilds Art School in Kennington.

She now leads crafting sessions for Living Crafts UK, teaching budding artists how to use paper to create captivating artwork.

"People even deliver magazines to my door step. If I am lucky enough to be given a present, people always tell me that they think l will enjoy the wrapping paper more than the gift.

"When I used to work in book publishing, they would always have amazing architectural magazines in and around the office. I would wait until they threw them and then pounce on the recycling bags."

Lancashire lampshades are available from £25 at papershades.co.uk.