When selecting a species to depict, I was very keen to choose an animal I had seen in its natural habitat, so that I had an understanding of its movements, habits and characteristics. Although classified Endangered in England, red squirrels are not hard to spot in Northumberland, and I've even seen one in my garden in Newcastle. The linocut print was made using a reduction technique from a single lino block, using 14 layers of ink, beginning with the palest colours and recutting the block between each layer, ending with the darkest details. I used very fine tools to cut the squirrel's fur and built up the colour gradually, to produce a layered texture. Red squirrel has been printed in a limited edition of just 5 prints.

A new bestiary and herbarium for at risk species by artists from Northern Print.

“Endless Forms Most Beautiful” is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to support visits, new printmaking and school’s programme for this project.

Northern Print artists bring together traditional printmaking and the natural world with a series of new prints highlighting the diversity of species that are categorised as ‘at risk’.

The ‘endless forms’ include marine life; plants; birds; insects and mammals with many familiar and much-loved species as well as less known and intriguing creatures that have captured the imagination and hearts of Northern Print’s artists.

This exhibition of 45 new prints has been made following a series of visits to our region’s natural history collections and habitats and represents the tiniest tip of the iceberg of our natural world under threat.

The artwork includes a range of approaches and printmaking processes – including heritage craft skills also deemed at risk including letterpress and mould-made papers