I am a very experienced teacher and lecturer with 25 years of lecturing at degree level. I also offer talks and workshops for guilds and groups and am happy to work with any level of student from beginners to those with substantial experience. My work has taken me to New Zealand, the USA and around the UK.
I specialise in machine embroidery but also offer drawing, sketchbook preparation and mixed media. A full list of workshops and talks can be obtained directly from me, details on my contact page. Here are some titles and workshop ideas.
Lectures
Crossing Boundaries– From hand to machine- looking at how my own work has developed focusing on the usage of stitch techniques, colours, threads and materials, and the translation of imagery to create a painterly approach to textiles. A reluctant embroiderer, I am now passionate about what I do! A talk with some slides, lots of work to look at and sketchbooks
Different Directions and Collaborations– This talk shows work from exhibitions where I have curated the exhibition, or collaborated with artists using other media such as jewellery, glass and ceramics as well as other textile artists. It always includes examples of my most recent pieces.
Mixed media with stitch: Stitchery combined with other textile media. Examples include work with dyes, paper- making, collage and paint, and range from experimental 3D structures to garments and wall hangings.
Workshops
I specialise in machine embroidery, offering courses for all ranges of experience. In particular I work with matt and shiny heavyweight threads in the spool, (cable stitch) creating textiles that have an intense and painterly feel to them. I am happy to cater for students at different levels from beginners to those with experience. I have a flexible approach to teaching.
Themes-landscape, seascape, architecture, water, reflections, working from an artist, different perspectives (maps and aerial photography) colour and texture.
Landscape layers-building layers with sheers, wool/silk fibres and other materials as a base, embellishing with simple lines of stitching, ideal for the less confident students
Drawing and design are essential parts of the creative process but often frighten those with no training. I can run day or part day sessions that are enjoyable and fear free! Using simple techniques to build ideas from line, colour and texture, explore your own potential, no formal drawing skills required
The image featured on this page is from a school artist in residence I did made by year 5 children (ages 9-10)
