MY STORY

A Textile Obsession

My life long obsession with traditional crafts and textiles has brought me to have a process led practice heavily based on interaction and engagement with the landscape and people around me.Primarily textile in construction, my work regularly draws upon reclaimed, found and gathered materials and uses the traditional craft techniques that I learnt whilst growing up surrounded by many local craftspeople. These influences and my use of unusual construction methods, which combine traditional and modern processes, help me to create highly individual pieces that explore the environment and sustainability. Pieces often become a collaboration between nature and the myself, the artist.I was incredibly lucky to attend the renowned East Berkshire College in Windsor under the tutelage of highly respected textile artists including Jan Beaney, Jean Littlejohn, Janet Edmonds and Dawn Thorne who inspired me to want to learn more.After gaining the City & Guilds Certificate and Diploma in Stitched Textiles at Windsor, I progressed to taking a Degree with the OCA. I have recently graduated with a BA (Hons) in Textiles.My current body of work concentrates on creating pieces that use natural and found objects, natural dyes and other 'eco-textile' techniques to explore sustainability in textiles.I am also currently trying to master the ancient craft of corn dolly making and straw work.