This month at our Butterwalk caffè, we’re showing original linocut prints by Dartmoor-based artist and designer Isla Middleton. Botanical and hand-carved, her pieces capture a quiet attention to plant forms and seasonal change. The exhibition runs throughout September.

About the Artist:

Isla is a printmaker and designer whose work begins in the garden and extends into notebooks, textiles, and limited-run linocuts. With a background in textile design and a love of traditional craft, her practice focuses on form, rhythm, and the slow return of the seasons. Every print is carved by hand and pulled in small editions, often on textured papers that elevate each mark.

Isla’s prints are available across the UK as cards, calendars, and homeware. For this show, we’re focusing on her fine art linocuts and original works on paper — tactile, meditative pieces rooted in her landscape.

In Conversation:

What does your carving or printing process look like — is it quiet, messy, rhythmic?

The printing process is my favourite part — the hours of carving a block suddenly come to fruition, and the design comes to life. It’s a satisfying process. Printing onto special papers makes such a difference. Mixing and rolling the ink onto the blocks is rhythmic — and yes, ink always ends up on clothes and in the most unlikely places. It can be a bit messy!

Do you have a favourite plant or form to draw right now?

Sunflowers. They’re starting to finish in the garden now that summer’s ending, but I love drawing these beautiful, joyful flowers.

What part of your process do you never rush?

The layout of the design. If I rush that, the print never turns out how I want. I rework the composition using tracing paper until I’m happy with it.

Is there a recent walk, landscape, or moment that made its way into this collection?

I live on the edge of Dartmoor, and walking on the moors is one of my favourite things to do. Bench Tor near Venford Reservoir has always been a special place. I’m always inspired by the gnarly mossy oaks, pines, and rowan trees that grow there.

If you were a coffee, what kind would you be — and why?

One of my favourite coffees is a cardamom cappuccino. A café I used to go to would make them especially for me — so I think that’s what I’d be!

Purchase & Enquiries

The collection is on show at Butterwalk until the end of September.

All works are available to purchase.

Visit in person or email art@thecurator.co.uk with any enquiries.