About
My work is inspired by the beautiful landscape of the Arnside and Silverdale area. I find the gnarled trees that grow on the limestone particularly interesting.
My pictures can be seen in local galleries, cafes and exhibitions. I have also undertaken private commissions and run textile art workshops and talkss for schools, art and craft groups and the Womens' Institute.
I have lived and worked in this area for 45 years. I retired from 30 years' teaching and can now follow a more artistic path. This has been lying dormant since I gained a degree from Southampton University in Textile Art and Education 47 years ago.
Inspiration for my art work comes from the colours and forms found in the local scenery. I have a special love for trees and the light that plays through them in the woods, their knobbly trunks and twisted roots.
To create the wrinkled effect in my pictures a piece of pre-soaked, wet fabric is sculpted onto a board. Powdered Brusho dye crystals are then applied when the fabric is still wet to create unique textures and colour markings. I love the random effects they create, making each of my pictures completely individual. Sometimes I see small beings appearing in the dye markings which I encourage to become part of the picture.
I have also started creating lino prints on textile which are further enhanced using Brusho dye. The effects caused by these vibrant colours migrating through the textile never cease to amaze me. Recently I have been experimenting with other media but always basing my work on my love of nature.