There is something enchanting about Diana Catchpole's work. Birds drift through oak branches, hares race across imagined landscapes, and tiny dragons sleep unnoticed among the leaves. Grounded in the countryside of South Cambridgeshire, England, her relief prints balance careful observation with folklore, humor, and imagination.
Originally trained as a children's book illustrator, Diana found her way to relief printmaking nearly a decade ago. Today, every print begins with a sketch before being carved by hand and printed using traditional techniques. For her first wallpaper collection with Artscape, those handcrafted illustrations have found a new home, transforming walls into immersive storybook landscapes. We spoke with Diana about her creative process, the animals that continually inspire her, and what it feels like to see her work become wallpaper for the first time.
You began your career illustrating children's books. What drew you to relief printmaking?
I studied book illustration in Cambridge and spent much of my career illustrating children's books. Over time, the industry changed, and I found myself drawn toward relief printmaking after taking a few courses. I immediately knew this was what I wanted to do. That was about eight or ten years ago, and I've been making prints ever since, selling my work online, taking on commissions, and occasionally illustrating books.
For those unfamiliar with relief printmaking, how does the process work?
Relief printmaking includes woodcuts, linocuts, and other techniques where you carve into a surface, roll ink onto the raised areas, and create a print from that image. One of the things I love most is that I can work from home. I design upstairs in my studio and print downstairs, where I hand burnish every print rather than using a press.
You print each piece entirely by hand. Why do you prefer that approach?
Instead of running the block through a printing press, I place the paper over the inked block and use either a wooden spoon or a glass baren to transfer the ink. Every print is made by hand.
How does an idea become one of your finished prints?
It always begins with a sketch. Sometimes it's just a quick scribble, but usually it starts in one of my sketchbooks. As the idea develops, the drawing becomes more refined until I'm happy with it. Then I create a larger version and transfer it onto the block for carving.
Tell us about the designs you created for Artscape.
The Birds & Beasties design began as one large block. I actually cut it into separate sections, almost like a jigsaw puzzle, so I could ink each piece individually in different colors. The second design was commissioned especially for Artscape. Because it was created as a mural, it became a much longer composition. It was incredibly detailed, but also a lot of fun.
Nature is central to your work. Where do you find inspiration?
I like to use my imagination, but I always draw from reality. I live in the countryside, and I spend a lot of time walking, sometimes borrowing friends' dogs to explore the landscape. There are hares, deer, birds of prey, and so much wildlife around me. I love observing nature, then adding a small fantastical twist. I also like to infuse my work with a bit of gentle humor.
Folklore and storytelling seem woven into every piece.
I'm inspired by medieval art, myth, and folklore. I think every piece is telling a story. There's always a narrative there, even if it's open to interpretation.
Had you imagined your work becoming wallpaper?
I often looked at my prints and thought they would translate beautifully into wallpaper or fabric. So when Artscape approached me about the collaboration, it was incredibly exciting.
This is your first wallpaper collection. What does it feel like seeing your work at this scale?
I hope people feel they can live with these pieces and make them part of their everyday spaces. I honestly think the work translates really well into that environment.
There's a wonderful sense of movement throughout your work.
I don't consciously think about it, but I do like there to be energy and flow. I never want the work to feel static. I hope there's always an uplifting movement running through it.
Tell us about your studio.
I'm surrounded by postcards, paintings, greetings cards, and other artists' work. I also have a shelf filled with the children's books I illustrated over the years. It's really just a room full of things that inspire me every day.
Is there a particular animal you always return to?
Hares. A lot of my work is animal-based. I also enjoy weaving people into my compositions, but they're always surrounded by nature. I love dogs too, although of course they're not quite as wild.
And what about plants?
Oak trees are probably my favorite. They're so solid and beautiful. This year we've had an incredible number of acorns, which has been lovely to see. I also enjoy weaving flowers and botanical elements throughout my work.
What has this collaboration with Artscape meant to you?
It's been wonderful. I'd always imagined my work becoming wallpaper one day, so seeing it translated into something people can live with has been really exciting.
About Diana Catchpole
Based in the South Cambridgeshire countryside, Diana Catchpole creates hand-carved relief prints inspired by wildlife, medieval art, folklore, and the changing seasons. Her exclusive collection for Artscape transforms her tactile printmaking into richly layered wallpapers that bring warmth, movement, and imagination to the home.
Explore Diana's Wallpaper Designs
