Royds was at times unable to afford woodblocks and so instead utilized chopping boards bought from Woolworths for sixpence. Her woodcuts are, however, professional - demonstrating her mastery of the technique. With her simple, daring line she has captured the fantastical nature of lilies, ranging from bulbous pods ready to burst open, to vibrant orange flowers in full-bloom, and also the remaining stamens, which hang limply as a testament to what once was.
Mabel Royds (English, 1874 - 1941)
At the age of fifteen Royds won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy in London. However, she had her heart set on studying at the Slade School. After her time at the Slade, Royds moved to Paris and worked with the English painter, Walter Sickert, before travelling to Canada and teaching in Toronto. In 1911 she returned to the UK and began teaching at Edinburgh College of Art, working alongside S. J. Peploe. Royds is best known for her colourful woodcuts of flowers, along with Biblical and Indian scenes. Her technique was indebted to Japanese woodcuts.
