Artist shoutout: Isabelle Lin

Isabelle Lin led a recent HINCHAS Press workshop that taught us how to create pop-up elements in zines. She is a Paris-based illustrator who shared some of her work with us during the workshop. She is best known for her linocut prints, drypoint etchings, digital illustrations, zines, and stationery. Browsing her work through her shop, Echo Illustration & Prints, was an amazing journey into her world, and I ordered a few things to commemorate our meeting. Everything came beautifully wrapped and opening it felt like Christmas.

I knew I had to have one of Isabelle's linocut prints. I like how each print is unique because Isabelle handcarves and prints each print individually in her home studio. I'd love to see the process and can only imagine how much effort goes into creating such a print. The print I ordered is from the Ochakai teapot series. I enjoy artwork with Japanese elements and was excited to get a piece that also represents my love of Japanese tea, an Ayame teapot inked with irises on Crane’s Lettra paper, which has some glossiness and softness to it as well as visible texture.

I had to order a zine as well. After all, we met at a zine-making workshop. I love buying other artists’ zines to support their work and also see how they are made so that I can get some inspiration for my own pieces. Isabelle’s zine, Migration, is a beautifully illustrated small zine with only illustrations. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and feel the pearlescent vellum paper on the cover, which is absolutely amazing!

Finally, there's the notebook. I chose a notebook because I liked the idea of interacting with Isabelle's artwork on a daily basis, and I intend to use it as one of my journals. I don't even like cats, but her cute illustration and color scheme drew me to the one with the cat garden pattern and a cover made of paper with a matte canvas texture. I have yet to try writing on the drawing paper inside, but I can already tell that picking it up every day will serve as a reminder to me that investing in quality stationery makes everyone happy.

Visiting Isabelle's store is a delightful and magical experience made possible by her art. However, there is more to it. If I ever open my own little shop selling zines, stickers, and illustrations, I'd want to give the same attention to people who appreciate my work, wrapping everything individually and throwing in some freebies like she did. Isabelle’s love of paper and materials shines through in her work, which I will always support and strive to mirror too.