About me NSL Textile Art

About

Wildlife has shaped both my life and my work.

At fourteen, following a prolonged period of illness, I experienced a profound shift in perspective. Stepping back into the natural world after months of uncertainty, I was struck by its extraordinary beauty and resilience. That moment became a turning point — not only in how I saw nature, but in how I wanted to live and create. My work began with a desire to capture the quiet hope, strength and joy that wildlife offers.

I trained formally in Costume with Performance Design (BA Hons, First Class), where I developed a strong foundation in structure, material and detail. My background in artistic costume informs the precision and dimensionality of my textile practice today. It was during my final year, through the guidance of an external examiner and established textile artist, that I recognised embroidery as my true artistic direction.

Now based in Cornwall, I work primarily in relief thread-painting to create detailed embroidered wildlife portraits. Each piece is rooted in observation — drawn from time spent in the countryside, along the River Tamar, and within the landscapes that continue to inspire me. While I sketch and photograph in the field, my strongest work is often shaped by memory — distilling lived encounters into carefully composed textile studies.

My practice centres on capturing the character and presence of wildlife through texture, light and stitch. I aim to create work that feels both intimate and enduring — celebrating the beauty of the natural world while quietly acknowledging its fragility.

Alongside my studio practice, my work is exhibited in galleries across the UK. I am a member of Drawn to the Valley and the Textiles and Embroidery Guild. Current exhibiting venues include Ebenezer Gallery in Polperro and Cotehele Gallery (National Trust).

My earlier portfolio includes exhibiting at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, Pall Mall, London, and at the World of Wearable Art Museum in New Zealand. I have contributed costume work to theatre, film and large-scale productions, including the World of Wearable Art Awards Show and the Weymouth Olympic Opening Ceremony (2012).

Through both original artworks and licensed collections, I continue to explore the richness of wildlife through stitch — creating pieces designed to be lived with, collected and passed on.