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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design

@chiaramensaart.bsky.social

290 followers 99 following 48 posts

Bristol-based printmaker focusing on nature-inspired #linocut — original wall art made with care in small batches and handprinted for a unique touch 👉🏻 www.chiaramensa.com

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Jan 24

Hiya! 👋🏼

My name is Chiara and I am Bristol-based self-taught printmaker focusing on #linocut.

I am branching out on here to make new connections and find a healthier alternative to Instagram (🤞🏼).

As this is an intro post, I thought I'd share my face and one of my favourite #linoprints to date.

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Jun 12

After a bit of a break, my beginner-friendly linocut workshops are back!
Who is excited?? 🙋🏼‍♀️

Full info & bookings on EVENTBRITE:
🎟️ fins-feathers-1.eventbrite.co.uk

#linocutworkshop #linocutprinting #artclassbristol #linocutbristol #blockprinting #whatsonBristol #thingstodoBristol

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Jun 9

Manifesting warmer summer days on this grey Monday by sharing a look at the fruits of last Friday's printing session: lovely copies of my latest linocut block capturing swooping waveforms, hanging on the studio drying line.

#waves #waveswallart #linocutprinting #lincutprints #printmakers

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Jun 5

Hulloooo 👋🏼
Long time no see!

After a loving month living and working in Toulouse I'm now back in Bristol with a lot happening behind the scenes so here is a brief recap - full details over at www.chiaramensa.com

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Apr 17

Happy milestone — a selection of my work is now available at the @rwabristol.bsky.social wonderful gift shop! 🥳

Thanks to Laura for this brilliant opportunity

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Mar 27

Hey #Bristol !
Fancy trying linocut printmaking?

Join me on April 1st for a fun evening of linoprinting inspired by flowers.

** this will be the last workshop until later this Summer **

🎟️ Info & bookings: flower-linocut-pt2.eventbrite.co.uk

#linocutworkshop #whatsonBristol #thingstodoBristol

FLOWER POWER Linocut Workshop

Enjoy a creative evening of linoprinting inspired by beautiful floral designs!

flower-linocut-pt2.eventbrite.co.uk

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Mar 20

🌼 🌱 Celebrating the Spring equinox (and surviving yet another miserable British winter) by sharing this older print titled "Bumble Hotel"

I don't know about you, but seeing chonky bumble bees buzzing around is among my favourite things about the coming of Spring

#bumblebees #blockprinting

Reposted by Chiara Mensa — Prints & design

The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · Mar 16

Born #onthisday in 1799, the English botanist Anna Atkins. As well as being considered by many to be first woman to create a photograph, her stunning 1843 book of algae cyanotypes is thought to be first book illustrated with photographs: buff.ly/2HCCTc8 #OTD

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Mar 14

✨ Real pinch-me moment ✨
My linocut "POUNCE" has made into the Extended Long list of the 2025 Jackson's Art prize!

First time I ever get shortlisted for anything, so I am over the moon 🌚

#jacksonsartprize2025

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Mar 10

It's time for #printpromptMonday once again and this week's prompt is #water so here's a look at my original linocut 'Mangrove'

Available from my online shop chiaramensaart.etsy.com/listing/1782...

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Mar 9

So nice to be part of this initiative! Check it out at www.thoughtpressproject.shop

Vicki Jordan - printmaker @vickijordanart.bsky.social · Mar 9

Some amazing prints coming into the #ThoughtPressProject shop! All kindly donated by the printmakers to raise money for charity (Edible Rotherhithe & The Children's Book Project.)
Check out thoughtpressproject.shop to see all the available prints, and to find out more about the project.

'Hoot are you?' by Chiara Mensa
A curious owl in the moonlight, printed in deep blue on white paper.

'Twitcher' by Custard4Gravy
A birdwatcher looking out, oblivious to the huge amount of birds behind him!

'Sound Waves' by Morag Ellen
Graphic depiction of sound waves in gold and black.

'Walkman' by Andrea Brown.
A nostalgic print of an 80s Walkman, with a 'blue, blue, electric blue' lightning flash as a nod to David Bowie's 'Sound & Vision'.

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Mar 6

The first few copies from my latest limited edition #linocut are finally dry and are now available from my online shop (✨FREE UK delivery! ) — chiaramensaart.etsy.com/listing/1870...

#owllinoprint #newwork

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Mar 1

It's not an easy path, that's for sure! But don't give up, try to push yourself out of your comfort zone a little at a time and it will quickly add up 💪🏼

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 28

Thank you so much 😊

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 28

..making a living from my art in the current economic climate — I think it is definitely a good enough reason to celebrate! 🥂

Here is to better and brighter days for all other artists, creatives and makers out there — let's stay strong and keep going

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 28

I was burnt out from a career as a graphic and digital designer and looking for a way to reconnect with my long-dormant creative side. Turns out linoprinting was the answer.

I dove in without overthinking and I am still here, despite the ups and downs and the difficulties of ..

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 28

📆 Obligatory printmaking anniversary post: 3 years of linocutting and counting! 🔪🔪🔪

It all started by taking a class back in 2022 at @spikeprintstudio here in Bristol.

#womenprintmakers #Bristolprintmaker #linocuts

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 27

So lovely to see people's ideas come to life during the workshop last night! 😄

Jamillah @jemimahknight.bsky.social · Feb 26

Of course I tried a fiddly hare triskelion for my first go at linocut. Thanks to the patience and skilled guidance of @chiaramensaart.bsky.social I came away with some decent prints and a head full of ideas.

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 26

Who what's to see a reel of the first inking and printing of my block for the #ThoughtPressProject ? 🙋🏼‍♀️

#linoprinting #owlart

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 25

Thank you so much! And yes! It was an unreal experience witnessing this real life. The images are somewhat low Res as I did not have the best camera, but still pretty impactful

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 24

I get to contribute to #printpromptmonday again as they picked #inmotion as this week's theme. I feel my "Breaching" panoramic linoprint makes for a perfect fit for it 😁

I drew it and carved it off an awesome series of photos I got to take during a whale watching trip in Cape cod almost 15y ago!

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 21

Ultimate dread! Everything about it seems to take forever and then some! From the set up and photography, to Photoshopping, optimising & uploading... 🫠🫠🫠

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 19

#BRISTOL !

Fancy taking a stab at linocut? 🔪

My next beginners' workshop is in a week, on Wednesday Feb 26th 6-9PM at #NorthStreetGallery in Bristol.

Full info & bookings:
botanical-linocut-pt2.eventbrite.co.uk

#linoprintingworkshop #artclasses #whatsonBristol #thingstodoinBristol

BOTANICAL Linocut Workshop

Get creative with an evening session of linoprinting inspired by botanical forms!

botanical-linocut-pt2.eventbrite.co.uk

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 18

Not at all! I love that idea! Thank you for suggesting ☺️

Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 17

What I've been working on recently: a linocut to be donated to #thoughtpressproject around the theme of "sound & vision"

Planning to print it tomorrow, which ink colour should I use?

⚫ Black
🔵 Prussian blue
🟣 Dark purple
✨ Something else?

#printmaking #linoprinting #artpoll #owlart

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Chiara Mensa — Prints & design @chiaramensaart.bsky.social · Feb 11

Jumping on the #PrintPromptMonday with my offering for #intothewild : here is a look at "Amazonia", limited edition handprint #linocut 🐆

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