I am the first to admit, I. am not good at throwing things away!… However I have found that the papers left over from dying and printing on fabrics have become the basis for an exciting selection of works on paper, repurposing what would otherwise be discarded. These layered, textured papers merge with found materials to evoke the ocean’s depths and the delicate balance it holds, and greatly inform my textile work. In fact almost all my works on paper seem to be about layers, lines and textures that interact and interlace together.
Acrylics, oil pastels, vallejo pouring medium, coloured pencils and pens are my tools to build layers and create compositions.. These works on paper or canvas are an integral part of my process, using the soundscape to inspire these pieces, made back in the studio in response to time spent deep in a Sussex wood. The marks, colours, compositions of these works directly influence the Textile pieces that followed and can be seen in the Landscape section on this site.
I use the square as a nod to Josef Albers, the infinite colour combinations and their effect on one another. I found it very therapeutic working into these squares, thinking about the effect of the weather on the sea, the currents, the constant changing effects of the wind, the sun.
The fishing line that links these little squares connects these abstract elements to one another, and I hope draws attention to our now plastic laden oceans. The sea glass, with its smooth edges and varied hues, captures the paradox of debris becoming a gem, shaped by the ocean’s relentless tides. Similarly, the fishing line—once harmful and out of place in the marine environment—takes on new life in my pieces, woven into abstract compositions that reflect both beauty and decay.
I seek to create a dialogue about our impact on the seas and the need for conservation. By blending beautiful colours and jewel like textures with elements of waste, I hope to inspire a deeper reflection and encourage conversation on how we can both admire and protect our oceans.