It’s The Small Things

Wry observations and alternative ways of looking at small daily details categorise printmaker and illustrator Kate Parkin’s work. It’s The Small Things brings moments of fleeting amusement in its reflections on aspects of ordinary life and familiar phrases or words.

Following a career in interior magazines as a stylist and feature writer, Kate studied children’s book design and discovered a love of printmaking, creating a unique and personalised style.

Kate’s style of printing has developed by using everyday things found at home, including cardboard packaging, which she cuts into ‘stamps’ to print her images, which are then used as layers of collage. Her style is bold and simple, reflecting the material she uses and her love of big, visually arresting images.

Kate has a particular skill in presenting bite-size narratives and likes to include elements of suburban life in her subject matter: dogs, domesticity, city and semi-rural landscapes, weather and muddled musings on literal translations of well-known phrases or favourite words.

Although born and bought up in Devon, Kate considers herself an honorary Londoner, having lived more years than she wants to let on in south east London. She works and lives in the green and enchanted Forest (Hill).