1 / 1

I was born in South-East London where I spent a lot of time hiding in my bedroom drawing. I always thought I’d go to art college; I studied NDD Illustration, HND 3D Craft and a BA in Applied Arts. My degree left me feeling flat and lacking confidence, I moved frequently and worked in retail for the next 15 years.
 

Happily, things changed when I lived on a boat in Cornwall, I worked less, had little money but was surrounded by nature. By the time I moved to dry land in Devon I had images that needed to go somewhere, it felt natural to use thread as a medium to draw them with.
 

Using thread I explore my love for nature; it’s repeating patterns, beauty, and the relationship I have with it. I am fascinated by the small things living complex lives alongside ours. My love for detail comes from childhood - walking in the woods with my Dad, identifying plants and fungi. I think I'm trying to communicate the excitement of finding something different, the brightness of those often un-noticed things. I’m hoping to inspire others to look closer.
 

I really enjoy the meditative and rhythmic qualities of sewing; the mental health benefits have been considerable in my role as a carer. I start with a small sketch. Drawing 'fixes' the image in my head, making me look closely at details. I then have a mental map and stitch a rough outline of where things might go. I like the work to grow organically, adding things I've recently seen.
 

Old Sylkos suit my work, their weight and tight twist are great for couching stitch, I also like to layer up different weights of silk and cotton to give depth and detail. Once finished and stretched, pieces are professionally framed. My work is sold through a gallery in Salcombe, Devon. I also enjoy working on a commission basis.
 

I moved back to London in 2021 to care for my dad who had dementia. After Dad died my work expressed a more emotional connection with nature. A sort of thank you to the garden that had sustained us at that time with routine and solace.