Marthe armitage biography of alberta
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Today, I would like to introduce you to Marthe Armitage. Her work featured in Daniel Ratcliffe’s film The Woman in Black, and she has recently started a collaboration with Jo Malone.
We have chosen a design based on the gardens at Chiswick House, and Marthe was the first artist to commit – immediately – to the mural project.
Acknowledgement: With thanks to Marthe Armitage.
In recent years, Marthe has become a star, her wallpaper in demand from subscribers to expensive design magazines.
Maybe it is their illustrative quality or just the colors that she uses. In fact, I might go back to lino carvings first.
Marthe has a few designs that could be used in a children’s room. But good things come to those who wait and this is worth waiting for.
With great trepidation we set off to visit Marthe Armitage, eminent woodblock artist.
“Would you like to visit my studio?” We both said yes. She was the first artist we approached with our mural idea, and we had no idea what to expect. Watching village craftsmen at a local bazaar print patterns onto fabric, using simple wood blocks, was an experience which was to lead her to the idea of designing and printing wallpapers, using the technique of linocut.
MARTHE ARMITAGE’S HAND-PRINTED PERFECTION
There seems to be a bit of theme forming here at Interior Monologue.
While still in her teens, she studied fine art at Chelsea School of Art, today part of the University of the Arts, London. We went away excited and encouraged.
Marthe Armitage trained at Chelsea School of Art just after the Second World War. She fitted her artistic work around family life, and was only able to work full time once her children had grown up.
Marthe’s studio is two doors down from her house, up an open metal staircase to a small functional, beautifully organised room, dominated by a huge press and an art chest of drawers stuffed with her gorgeous woodprints. Once a decision is made, it can take three months for Marthe to create an order. Sarah demurred politely, Karen said yes.
The studio, the printing press, the floral works of art, the artist at the height of her powers. We nervously sat down to show her our (very rudimentary) ideas, and she said, “Yes, fine.” We were all prepared with a longer explanation, so our breath was taken away by her swift and relaxed agreement.
“Would you like to take the work with you now?” she asked.
My newest heroine.
She was born in 1930 in England and went to art school to study painting at the Chelsea School of Art. As life would have it, she didn’t pursue her art any further after graduating once marriage and babies came into the equation. It was only when the design company Hamilton Weston asked to represent her in 2004 that things changed for her.
She has loads of sketches and has proclaimed that she loves drawing. Alumni include sculptor Elisabeth Frink, illustrator Quentin Blake, wood sculptor David Nash, artists Patrick Caulfield and Anish Kapoor, along with modern movie-maker and Turner Prize winner, Steve McQueen.
After graduating from Chelsea, marriage and motherhood left Marthe little time for commitment to a creative career.
The possibilities are endless. All I know is that I truly love wallpaper and this is some of the most exquisite wallpaper that I have ever seen.
If you are now considering some of Marthe Armitage’s wallpaper for your own home, please be a bit patient. On a good day, she is said to be able to produce between four and six rolls of paper.
I remember etching designs into lino when I was in art school and it was quite fun but very grueling work.