Following a competitive selection process, I was invited to participate in the Mokuhanga Innovation Laboratory (MI-LAB) artist residency in Japan in November 2019, where I studied the traditional craft of Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock printing). The residency provided an invaluable opportunity to develop my printmaking practice by learning this historic technique directly from master printmakers and experienced practitioners. The knowledge and skills I gained have become an important part of my contemporary printmaking practice, influencing both my artistic work and my approach to teaching. Since returning from Japan, I have incorporated Mokuhanga principles into my practice and have shared this knowledge through workshops, courses and educational activities, introducing learners to traditional Japanese woodblock printing alongside contemporary printmaking techniques. The residency was a self-funded programme, made possible through the generous support of family, friends and supporters, for which I remain deeply grateful.