If we haven't met yet, hello :)
I’m an English artist, designer and educator based in Toronto. I specialize in creating joyful and colourful embroidered artworks.
My embroideries are grounded and intertwined with my observations, imagination, experiences and memories. I take comfort in celebrating the connections to the people and places that I cherish. Birds capture my imagination with their colourful plumage and habits, often becoming playful characters in my work, the NZ Fantail is a favourite.
Drawing is the foundation to all my work. It’s the process I use to explore, experiment and gather my ideas. From detailed observational sketches, to colour notes, and exploratory compositions, it all feeds and informs my embroideries. Because as much as I love drawing, the tactile nature of working with threads and fabrics is where I feel most creative.
Referencing my drawings, I stitch freely onto a fabric ground using my trusty old Bernina as a drawing tool. I build up layers of fabric and thread to create the images, patterns and textures in my embroideries.
My love of making and creating started at home as a young child. My mum taught me to sew and instilled a love of art, music and playful imaginings. She encouraged resourcefulness and adventure as we travelled near and far. I went on to study at Glasgow School of Art, where I specialized in embroidery and weave. With a career now spanning thirty years, there has been lots of embroidery, colour, birds and tea along the way.
How long does it take?
I’ve been pondering the best way to answer this innocent question succinctly.
The hours involved in making an artwork, plus factors like the size, technique, materials etc. only take into account the practical and physical making of the piece. There are so many factors that are essential in the preparation and process that need to be considered, acknowledged and understood too.
I have found the nature of creativity quite unpredictable, however, if I keep showing up and trying, working at my skills, with regular routine, practise and process, artwork will materialize, even if it’s not what I expected or imagined initially. I have learnt to trust in the process, ever hopeful the end result will at least be a pleasant surprise, or at least teach me something helpful.
So how long does it take, big blocks of time, focus and to be honest, a lifetime of persevering to create any particular piece. This is my life’s work, I feel it’s my purpose, to create work that will hopefully resonate with others, bring appreciative smiles and joyful responses with each viewing.
This video shows how I work, using the sewing machine as my drawing tool. I stitch freely onto the fabric, building up the threads to create my artwork, Garden Sewers .