MY PROCESS
Through the prism of wild animals and birds in their natural habitats, I record the perpetual cycle of changing seasons – perhaps a fox ringed by early spring celandines, a robin resting on a hawthorn branch above a bed of frozen oak leaves or a butterfly alighting on a hydrangea flower in full bloom.
As a textile artist inspired by nature, I see my work as a means of capturing and documenting the beauty and individuality of the animals and plant life around me. My embroidery art particularly concentrates on the use of colour and textures to bring my subjects to life.
I spend time in the countryside observing and recording nature, sometimes through photography, sometimes through sketching, and sometimes through collecting natural objects such as seed heads, leaves, feathers and stones.
“A beautiful way to remember a dear pet. It is exactly as described and the process was discussed along the way so you feel sure of what is being created.
It is even better than I hoped.”
I start by sketching and preparing a composition made up of the elements I wish to include in my finished piece paying particular attention to colour and form.
Once I am happy with the composition, this sketch then becomes the template for the fabric appliqué.
At this point I source appropriate fabrics for each area selecting those I think will create the desired effect.
Upon completion of the fabric appliqué I embellish my work with embroidery to highlight and enhance the animals’ features, and help distinguish different areas of pattern adding to the creation of depth.
Wherever possible I use recycled and discarded fabrics.
A good example is the rippled water in my kingfisher picture made from recycled saris.
My original embroidered pieces are also available as giclée prints, greetings cards and ceramic coasters.
