In June 2007 I returned to a local school to run some workshops during their Arts Week, and was struck anew by the fearless and experimental way children make art given the right environment. I resolved to rediscover the element of 'play' in my work, and started collecting interesting papers of all sorts to use in monoprinting, something I find immensely enjoyable.  I have been working since then on a series of paintings which incorporate these monoprints, as well as handprinted passages applied directly on to the canvas using all sorts of relief materials. I then build up layers of oil paint and glazes on top on the monoprints to give a warm, rich effect which owes as much to happy chance as to planning.  I am looking forward to making more of this work, possibly in a larger format, as it gives me ample scope to include favoured motifs and symbols – I am especially fond of some of the archetypal designs featured in various beads in my collection, and graphics from ancient sources, including amulets and Kabbalah.

Click on the images to enlarge

The pieces below have been made using photocopied family letters and drawings, sometimes  monoprint and paint as well. I made them for our family,  to honour and remember lovely people as well as lovely times. 

Click on the images to enlarge

As a devotee of languages and symbols, I asked my hairdresser, the genius Motoko, (who sadly for me has lately emigrated to Australia with her husband and new baby) how to write 'Polly' in Japanese. She chose as the composite parts of my name the picture symbols for 'Paw' ( an animal paw, or 'walking' ) and 'Li' (home/home town/ roots) I was delighted by this name, which suggested to me two ideas – firstly, exploring my identity, in a metaphorical 'walking towards' the ' home' of roots and family history – and conversely, my journey 'walking outwards' from home and family life towards an identity as an artist. In one of the paintings below, completed in October 07, the 'home' symbol is writ large, and the 'walking' symbol is smaller; the other shows the opposite emphasis, so they reflect my dual life as an artist as well as a wife/mother/family member and friend.

Click on the images to enlarge