Who am I?

As a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, a degree in embroidered and woven textiles didn’t lead me on a straight forward path to becoming a Textile artist; it  has been an evolving journey, shaped by life abroad and a deep appreciation and admiration for the natural world. My earliest memories are rooted in the beaches of Kenya, where I was fascinated  by the vibrant colours and textures of the land and seascape. This early inspiration, combined with an awareness of the stark contrasts between such beauty and the harsh realities faced by so many with fewer opportunities, profoundly influenced my creative perspective.

Embracing my creativity, I worked for several years as a broadcast journalist with the BBC World Service, which furthered my understanding of global issues and the diverse stories that shape our world. After marriage and while raising children, my focus shifted towards teaching and sharing my passion for creativity through interior design.  These experiences have given me a solid grounding in 20th century Art and more recently of textiles as a medium for expression and storytelling.

However, as I find my own creative voice, I am finding myself wanting to go back to is our collective environment as my main source of inspiration, whether it’s one of the land or the sea; our planet is clearly on a tipping point. I know from my experiences as a journalist you can’t change the world even from the World Service platform; so I hope to use my love and interest in fabrics, recycling and the story they can tell to at least get people talking about this crisis we all face.