I was introduced to embroidery at secondary school, the girls had to do embroidery instead of art and I was most disappointed because I loved art. I did find however, that I enjoyed embroidery, but I would have liked to do both subjects.
I designed and produced knitting patterns and motifs for home machine knitters from 1989-96 and also had patterns printed in magazines during that time.
I didn’t really do much with embroidery from leaving school until I was in my twenties when I started doing cross stitch and also the designs for it. But I found the stitching too repetitive and I was bored so I looked for something a bit more challenging and found a City & Guilds {part 1 & 2} embroidery course which lasted 4 years. The tutor encouraged me to take it further with a degree course, so I went on to do a BA(Hons) Textile & Surface Design degree at Cleveland College of Art & Design, Hartlepool which took another 6 years [part-time], and graduated in 2005.
The City & Guilds course introduced me to many methods of drawing, painting, sketching, photography, printing as well as embroidery. The degree course pushed the boundaries out and as well as using the more traditional methods of mark making, an interest in computer technology developed which resulted in my final project including digital printing on fabric. While at college I received a commendation award from The Bradford Textile Society for a printed fashion design. All these techniques have given me a wide range of mediums to work with and I like to combine several of them together to produce different textures on the same piece of work.
The inspiration for my work could be anything that takes my eye, and could be a cup, landscape or even a bit of old bark.
I still enjoy experimenting and trying new techniques and as well as making wall art I also enjoy making books, altering books, making miscellaneous items and cards.
I designed and produced knitting patterns and motifs for home machine knitters from 1989-96 and also had patterns printed in magazines during that time.
I didn’t really do much with embroidery from leaving school until I was in my twenties when I started doing cross stitch and also the designs for it. But I found the stitching too repetitive and I was bored so I looked for something a bit more challenging and found a City & Guilds {part 1 & 2} embroidery course which lasted 4 years. The tutor encouraged me to take it further with a degree course, so I went on to do a BA(Hons) Textile & Surface Design degree at Cleveland College of Art & Design, Hartlepool which took another 6 years [part-time], and graduated in 2005.
The City & Guilds course introduced me to many methods of drawing, painting, sketching, photography, printing as well as embroidery. The degree course pushed the boundaries out and as well as using the more traditional methods of mark making, an interest in computer technology developed which resulted in my final project including digital printing on fabric. While at college I received a commendation award from The Bradford Textile Society for a printed fashion design. All these techniques have given me a wide range of mediums to work with and I like to combine several of them together to produce different textures on the same piece of work.
The inspiration for my work could be anything that takes my eye, and could be a cup, landscape or even a bit of old bark.
I still enjoy experimenting and trying new techniques and as well as making wall art I also enjoy making books, altering books, making miscellaneous items and cards.
Exhibitions
2010/2011 August - March Dartington Cider Press Gallery, Devon
2010 March 9th - 18th April [Vervey - Layers] Arc, Stockton
2009/2010 December 11th - 20th January 'A bit of a mixture' [with Helen Dickson] Arc, Stockton Arts Centre, Dovecot Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1LL
2009 August 13th - 19th [Vervey] Witham Hall, Barnard Castle
2009 February 24th - March 28th [Vervey - Reworked, Recycled, Revealed] Darlington Arts Centre
2008 Designer's Marketplace, Middlesbrough
2008 October 3rd - 5th A stand at the Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch Exhibition, Harrogate with Vervey
2008 September 22nd - October 30th [Vervey - Reworked, Recycled, Revealed] People's Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
2008 June 30th - August 8th [Vervey - Reworked, Recycled, Revealed] The Arc, Stockton-on-Tees
2008 August - Washington Open Exhibition
2008 May 10th - July 5th 'MY ANGEL' Exhibition Gateshead Central Library
2007 November 16th/17th A stand at The Melting Pot Arts Create Event, Darlington
2007/2008 November - January 5th [Vervey - Illusions of the North East] Gateshead Central Library
July 2007- [Vervey] The Arc, Stockton
2007 The Art Chain, Newcastle
2006 Witham Hall, Barnard Castle
2006 The Art Cafe, Corbridge
Publications
Cloth, Paper Scissors - Sept/Oct 2009 - Article about Rolling Stamps
Workbox – August/September [No124] 2010 - Article about the Vervey Exhibition [Layers]
Schmap Plymouth Guide [9th edition, on line] - My photo of the Lost Gardens of Heligan
2010/2011 August - March Dartington Cider Press Gallery, Devon
2010 March 9th - 18th April [Vervey - Layers] Arc, Stockton
2009/2010 December 11th - 20th January 'A bit of a mixture' [with Helen Dickson] Arc, Stockton Arts Centre, Dovecot Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1LL
2009 August 13th - 19th [Vervey] Witham Hall, Barnard Castle
2009 February 24th - March 28th [Vervey - Reworked, Recycled, Revealed] Darlington Arts Centre
2008 Designer's Marketplace, Middlesbrough
2008 October 3rd - 5th A stand at the Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch Exhibition, Harrogate with Vervey
2008 September 22nd - October 30th [Vervey - Reworked, Recycled, Revealed] People's Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
2008 June 30th - August 8th [Vervey - Reworked, Recycled, Revealed] The Arc, Stockton-on-Tees
2008 August - Washington Open Exhibition
2008 May 10th - July 5th 'MY ANGEL' Exhibition Gateshead Central Library
2007 November 16th/17th A stand at The Melting Pot Arts Create Event, Darlington
2007/2008 November - January 5th [Vervey - Illusions of the North East] Gateshead Central Library
July 2007- [Vervey] The Arc, Stockton
2007 The Art Chain, Newcastle
2006 Witham Hall, Barnard Castle
2006 The Art Cafe, Corbridge
Publications
Cloth, Paper Scissors - Sept/Oct 2009 - Article about Rolling Stamps
Workbox – August/September [No124] 2010 - Article about the Vervey Exhibition [Layers]
Schmap Plymouth Guide [9th edition, on line] - My photo of the Lost Gardens of Heligan