My Work
I am a mixed-media artist living in Leicestershire. I produce framed work, wall hangings, clocks and bowls. My preferred material to work with is paper pulp, which I recycle from shredded waste paper.
Paper pulp is such a versatile medium to work with - I love the vast range of textures and patterns that can be worked into its surface. It can be impressed with everyday items or found objects, such as buttons, beads or shells. Fragments of vintage lace, or natural materials such as leaves can also be used to leave an impression in the pulp, or they can be set into it whilst it is still wet. Once this phase of my work is finished, the work is left to dry naturally. When it is completely dry I paint it with acrylics, then varnish.
Some of my work is also further embellished with Free-Machine Embroidery, or I may stitch beads on to it by hand.
Some of my work is quite experimental. Due to the organic nature of hand made paper, it is sometimes difficult to tell how the finished item will look until it is painted - which is the most exciting 'transformation' stage of the process. Also, for the same reason, no two pieces are ever absolutely identical - there will always be slight variations in textures, tears and perforations of the paper.
My fascination with fossils and relics is very apparent in a lot of my work; some of which I have torn and distressed to give them an appearance reminiscent of archaeological finds or ancient treasures. I am much inspired by the illustrations of Arthur Rackham, and enjoy creating fantasy creatures, fish and marine life with scales, spikes and trailing tendrils. Indian textiles and mendhi patterns also interest me; I love pattern lines, which I transform with impressed patterns and paintwork, then embellish with beads, jewellery findings, lace fragments and appliqué.