Ruth Thomas

'I feel immensely fortunate whenever I walk into my studio. It's a wonderful place in which to work. I have my etching press, ample worktop space to spread out, excellent natural light and inspirational views of the Clwydian hills. I am often joined by either our cat, Ruby, or our Welsh terrier, Charlie. This is where I plan my images, mix inks, make and print my printing plates, store my papers and all materials, have work in progress on display. This is where I create my work. It's not always an easy process; there are many frustrating times when things don't go right but it's a battle I (almost) enjoy, and when a piece turns out well, that is, when it seems to strike the right chord in terms of atmosphere, composition, concept and technique, there is no better feeling.

I've been making my work for over thirty years now, since I graduated in 1985 with a degree in Fine Art. Then I concentrated on painting, collage and drawing. My work has changed over the years and since the early 1990s I've called myself a printmaker. I have made etchings, screenprints and drypoints but the process which allows me to express myself best, is collagraph. A collagraph is a print from a collage, particularly an intaglio print. Virtually any materials can be used as long as they are fairly flat – fabrics, papers, threads, carborundum – and these days I mostly use found natural materials. I also take direct impressions from these objects without making a plate to create monoprints.' R.Thomas