Wandering the stalls at London’s Small Publishers Fair a few months ago, I came across the work of writer and illustrator Erica Van Horn and her partner, poet Simon Cutts. As I perused the Coracle table, I was instantly drawn to the way Van Horn’s minimalist line drawings convey so much emotion.
Photography by Rincy Koshy for Gardenista, except where noted.
So when I learned that Van Horn is also an American expat (now an Irish citizen), I needed the story to continue.
Van Horn and Cutts make their home on what was once a small farm in South Tipperary. The space holds a large work table as well as shelving and cupboards to store the requisite supplies.
The white printing shed holds drawers of metal type, as well as a small Adana printing press.
A utilitarian corner of the property includes a lean-to for firewood, a potting bench, clothesline, and of course, the view.
A bit of Cutts’ poetry stenciled on to the main house’s wall.
Hanging rusted objects serve as inspiration for many of Van Horn’s drawings.
Above L: An homage to the couple’s beloved dog Em, a sheepdog mix who died in late August (Van Horn and Cutts are missing her terribly).
Above R: A photo of Em, courtesy of Van Horn.
An abundance of late-summer wildflowers nearly obscures the view of the printing shed.
Even when it’s raining (a frequent occurrence in Ireland), the view from the Book Barn reminds you of nature.
Lavender grows in abundance.