I am a textile artist and work from my studio in my home in Ballymena. I make hangings for exhibition all over the world. I have work for sale at the Space Craft Art Gallery in Belfast. I studied Art and Design in Dublin. I learnt about colour and design while working in different mediums, painting, screen printing, glass and metal. When I left college I started working with fabric, I enjoyed its tactile qualities and unlimited colours. I joined the Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild and the Irish Patchwork Society and found exciting things happening in the world of textiles. I have taken numerous classes with quilt makers I admire, learning different techniques and observing how other artists work. I get inspiration from the world around, taking photographs and every day I must create a collage in my day journal. Recently I started working on a series based on the spiral, an old Celtic symbol found on ancient stones in Ireland. It is a very therapeutic symbol to work with.
I work using layers of fabric, which are cut and reassembled. Fusing is an integral part of the process as is the machine stitching. I play with colour and shape. Nothing is planned. I may have an initial idea which develops and changes as the work progresses. Going with the flow is exciting. I travel to Nepal about twice a year to stock up with their beautiful coloured fabrics. While I am there I do craft work with the men and women who are living in a compound in Kathmandu while they wait for their hospital treatment.
I have exhibited work in Ireland, Europe, USA and Japan.
www.spacecraftshop.co.uk
Craft & Design Collective
Space CRAFT
9b The Fountain Centre
College Street
Belfast, BT1 6ET
028 9032 9342
I am available to give talks and workshops
I work from a studio in my home