Urban Nature

My work relates to the natural and built world and the elements that make it up. I live in a house which edges on a park bringing the Urban and 'Nature' together.  I like to use found materials, old domestic fabrics, papers and objects gathered within my footsteps as part of the process of making, looking at environmental and personal links, as well as addressing issues of sustainable practice. Connecting paint, mark and image, I seek to reflect the 'hidden edges' of our landscape,wild spaces, verges and field edges, 'stitch sketching' to capture a moment before it is gone. I make commissions for public spaces, including installations in museums and galleries, as well as smaller mixed media textiles pieces.

I enjoy the challenges of collaborating on projects and have included examples on this site of work with other artists and makers as well as work with museums and education. Collaborating develops my studio practice and I have been given a Pride of Britain Award from the NRI Institute in recognition of my community and exhibition projects. I will be guest artist at the Festival of Quilts and Knitting and Stitching show this year (2012). For up to date information see Current Exhibitions and Events and visit  My Blog

My book, 'The Found Object in Textile Art'.  (Batsford 2010) was a reprinted in 2011. I am currently co-writing a second book about textile collaborations. I have also featured in several magazines including Country Living, Schoner Whonen (beautiful home), Crafts, Embroidery and The Quilter.