Foliage at Kew Gardens Print

I trained as a textile teacher and I have taught for the last 30 years. I have always developed my own artistic practice exploring a variety of media and techniques creating items such as wedding dresses through to vases, lights and stitched canvas pieces. I am particularly drawn to natural forms and landscapes but have also done work with animals and buildings. I love the effect of dappled light and enjoy playing with colour. Recent commissions have included reflecting special places, objects and animals of clients. I love the colours of the ocean, crashing waves, waterfalls and forest scenes and aim to capture the inspiring nature of these places in my work. In the past I have sold work through local art galleries, open studios and commissions. I now, however, want to start exhibiting and selling my artwork more consistently. My most recent work is based on a technique that I have developed and believe to be unique to me. I make my own fabric paper from cotton, silk, and angelina fibres, plus fragments of recycled fabrics and yarns sometimes. I then stitch, paint and sometimes bead into the surface. The piece is then applied to a canvas, bowl, vase as desired, or if there are more relief elements the work can be framed in a deep frame. The natural textural quality to my work is part of its charm which is why I personally prefer it not behind glass, but it is equally effective this way. The Angelina fibres add a lustre to the work that sparkle in places and which are not completely evident in the photos of my work. My work is richly textured by the materials I use and the free machine embroidery I do which give the work a different effect close up to far away which people have found intriguing.