My work
I combine contemporary and traditional techniques and materials in my textile work.
I use traditional indigo dyeing, felt and paper making, hand embroidery, bead embroidery and bead weaving techniques along side machine embroidery, chemical dyes and reclaimed plastics and metals.
Inspiration
My designs are influenced by my interest in historical, archaeological and ethnographic artefacts, geological formations and fossils and the natural world.
I have a large collection of antique and ethnographic textiles, fossils and antique decorative art objects which inspire my design work
My Studio
After 30 years in Hastings I have moved to the beautiful village of Patrington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Here I have my workshop in the 19th century carpenters workshop in my back yard
My backstory
Brought up in a family with 2 generations of teachers who had a strong professional and personal interest in needlework, art, history and geology, it is not surprising that I acquired similar passions from an early age.
My Career
It began with a degree and career in archaeology, and archaeological illustration, and this in turn influenced my interest in the study and collection of historical and ethnographic textiles and beadwork.
Later, a City and Guilds Diploma in Textiles and PGCE in Adult Education have allowed me to continue to develop my professional interests in textiles and education.
Archaeologist and Museum Curator
As a curator at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, I had the privilege of studying the internationally significant ethnographic collections collected by Lady Annie Brassey
http://www.hmag.org.uk/collections/durbar/
and Native American collections http://www.hmag.org.uk/collections/native_americans/
which have inspired much of my work.
Studying decorative objects in detail has enabled me to learn and study the construction techniques of a range of ethnographic textiles and beadwork.
Further Education Art Tutor
I have been able to introduce students from leisure classes to degree undergraduates to the world of design, textiles and camera-less photography.
