I describe myself as a mixed media / textile artist who specialises in large scale, vibrantly coloured pieces with an emphasis on free machine embroidery. I have exhibited widely in both group and solo exhibitions and I provide talks, Summer Schools and workshops for groups and school pupils. I have written articles for magazines and online platforms and am an after dinner speaker. This year I was accepted into the Society of Designer Craftsmen, and I have had a Gallery at Quiltfest North 26 at the Coach House Gallery in Chorley. I am a member of exhibiting group Textile21 and chair Textile Connections, formerly Glossop Embroiderers Guild. In the past four years I received the award for Most Outstanding Piece in the annual Embroiderers’ Guild Members’ Challenge.
I initially trained as a Fine Artist, gaining a First Class BA Honours Degree and an MA in painting from Manchester Polytechnic, followed by a Teacher Training Course. Throughout my teaching career it was important for me to continue with my own work. (I taught at Secondary School level for 30 years.)
I spent many years making pieces on paper using collage techniques but eventually became dissatisfied with working on a flat surface. Encouraged by my husband (who trained as a sculptor) I started to experiment with MDF in order to achieve a more robust structure. I produced many increasingly large artworks which became almost too heavy to lift. Also, I was unhappy with the rigidity of the wooden surface and so decided that I needed to change direction. Two books were particularly inspirational: “Paper, Metal and Stitch” by Maggie Grey and Jane Wild, and “Fusing Fabrics” by Margaret Beale. The techniques and materials I discovered in the books were varied and exciting and opened a whole new world for me. I discovered a cornucopia of materials and techniques which I could experiment with.
I have had no formal textiles training and initially had absolutely no idea how to thread a sewing machine, let alone use one. This has been advantageous as it has meant that I haven’t been hindered by any “rules,” leaving me free to experiment.
My work always involves layering fabrics, plastics and other materials together then stitching. I have devised ways of transferring an image on to fabric which results in figurative, narrative pieces.
I am inspired by a variety of subjects including mythology, symbolism, different cultures, history, religion, storytelling, literature and the Natural World. I was drawn towards these subjects in the 1990’s via an interest in Indian Art as I loved the heavily embellished and vibrant colours associated with India. From there I went on to discover other cultures and beliefs, the fascination for me being a love of colour, pattern and context.
There are two vital elements which form the backbone of my work, these being drawing and a strong narrative element. Coming from a Fine Art background means that I am very comfortable with drawing.
My pieces evolve. I have a theme which I research and thoroughly enjoy discovering new and exciting images to include. I print images out to work from and make lots of scribbly drawings to show my thought process, but I don’t use a sketch book. As some pieces can take several months or more to complete it’s natural for my initial ideas to transform and change. Sometimes a completely different angle presents itself and I love this creative diversion as it keeps the work fresh. An example of this is my “Cabinet of Curiosities” work (looking a nearly extinct or extinct creatures) which I initially was going to have a Victorian inspired look. Subsequently I opted for a much more modern, bright appearance.
