I’ve been creative as long as I can remember, encouraged as a child to conjure creations from cardboard, glue, and shiny sweet wrappers or hand stitch left over fabrics into fashion items for treasured toys.
Following a creative career was all I ever sought, but having attended Foundation Art at sixteen, I then went on to specialise in art through teacher training, rather than take an art degree. It wasn’t until much later in life that I discovered textiles as an art form, through a City & Guilds Diploma course, which fuelled the desire to create art through textiles full-time and enable others creatively.
I started Harlequin Arts in 2007, so I guess I can now say that I am an experienced textile artist and qualified tutor providing participatory creative sessions in venues, from parks to primary schools, tepees to tents, church halls to care homes, hospitals to holiday centres.
I especially enjoy enabling and inspiring others to be creative; facilitating connections through creativity and firmly believe that participating in creativity can enhance wellbeing.
I create colourful textile and mixed media artwork that often has a strong narrative, exploring aspects of my faith.
I’m happiest when I’m stitching, writing, or with my head in a good book! If none of these is an option, then a walk by the sea, through the woods, or in the Peak District would be a good alternative, (especially if combined with coffee & cake!)and even better if I can collect treasures from nature along the way to adorn my desk, studio, or windowsill to inspire further creativity. Other than that, it’s the simple pleasures of nature…flowers, rainbows, colours, or baking for others that feeds my soul.
