Victoria Hall

I've loved colour, surface pattern & books for as long as I can remember & was lucky enough to find my ideal profession at an early age.Self-taught in my field, my first studio was established iin Norwich in 1989 where I marbled paper for bookbinders & was soon sending papers to clients internationally. Creating close facsimiles of historic models dating to the eighteenth & nineteenth centuries soon became a necessary & challenging part of my work, Many of these are marbled papers made by floating water-based paint (gouache on a preparation of carragheenan (made from seaweed). Paste papers are also made emulating designs of c1800.Tto keep the balance, I also continually produce new designs suitable for more contemporary projects. Techniques used also include oil and acrylic marbling & the production of gloriously ethereal 'Suminagashi' which draws on Oriental methods. I am always delighted to create papers for bespoke projects old or new and can produce several hundred matching sheets if required. Notable commissions have included paste papers for the Folio Society & marbled papers for the Highgrove Florilegium.
Following a move to Whissonsett in 2014, I now marble in a garden studio. Visitors can view lots of papers held in stock for sale, & there will be a display of historic papers, materials used & some completed projects. There are also hand-bound Books, Journals, albums etc featuring papers made in the studio, along with pencils, cards & smaller gifts. There are a few larger framed pieces available too, including some collaged & woven pieces.
I've given presentations on my craft from Dartington to Dunblane & at venues including the British Library & the University of Alberta in Calgary! A small part of Escape to the Country was filmed in the studio (Episode 25, Series 20) & I became the subject of a Radio 4 programme 'Living National Treasures' (Episode 2) Unfortunately both programmes sadly aired during & immediately prior to lockdown! The Radio 4 programme is still available on BBC Sounds
Commissions for all manner of bespoke work are welcomed. A phone call is often very effective! Outside of the studio 'open days', visitors are welcome by arrangement.