Artist in Residence - May & June

An article from our artist in residence - Miranda Whitten-Walker

I love a good doodle, which is probably why I enjoy drypoint etching so much. My largest drypoint to date, By the Pond, captures the textures and shapes around the pond and slate garden at Hergest Croft in suitably 'doodley' detail. This semi-abstract limited edition of eight etchings invites close inspection.

From sketch, to inking the etched plate, to final 'By the Pond' print

I've posted a short time-lapse video of the inking and pressing stages of this artwork on my Instagram page (@mirandawhittenwalker).

Plenty of detail to enjoy in my latest drypoint etching

You can view By the Pond with more of my Artist in Residence artwork at Hergest Croft Gardens, including three colour variations of Wembley Gate featuring Hergest's famous wrought-iron gate, its rhododendron blooms and Hergest Ridge.

'Wembley Gate' in three colour palettes - Hergest Ridge beyond

You can alternatively contact me to enquire, since these editions are not currently available through my online shop.

Throughout June and July I'm exhibiting a wider selection of my work at The Hub in Peterchurch, Herefordshire. With its excellent café and location in the Golden Valley near Arthur's Stone, it's well worth a visit if you're exploring the area.

I'll also have work in Printmakers '26 at the Footprint Gallery in Jackfield from the 3rd–12th of July. Visit my website for details.

Hergest Croft Gardens is particularly renowned for its Himalayan plant collections. Right now, the giant lilies in Park Wood are flowering, the many Cornus kousa are covered in white bracts, and the remarkable seed catkins of Pterocarya macroptera var. insignis are like a waterfall of green jewels!

The giant lily, Cornus kousa bracts, Pterocarya catkins, developing foxglove tree fruit

I've been gathering specimens to sketch and record for future work, and every visit provides fresh inspiration. My next projects promise to be colourful: a reduction linocut inspired by some of the creatures I've observed on tree bark in the arboretum, and I’m planning to experiment with blind embossing as part of a composition based on cornus (dogwood) flowers and bracts.

Finally, my begonia print Monty has been selected for the Society of Botanical Artists' Plantae 2026 exhibition. As a non-member entry, it was especially gratifying to be included and it's well worth checking out this entire stunning collection of artworks online.

Miranda