Design Inspiration

There is a place close to where I live where I walk my dogs, it is a place like no other, it is an ancient wooded place where nature is gently regaining control from man’s insistent and persistent intervention. It has a sense of the magical and holds the key that informs my imagination. It is accessed through a gate, a threshold, a liminal space where the visible, the here and now, become the future, the unknown and the invisible. There is a reciprocal energy here which envelopes your thoughts as you journey through the space. A meditative transformation takes place creating an inner space, a slowing down of the mind and a growing awareness of the rhythm of the footstep and the developing rhythm of the breath.

An interaction of perception and consciousness.

Learning

I graduated, as a mature student, from Plymouth College of Art in 2014 with a degree in Applied Art and Fashion. During the course I was fortunate to have various pieces of my work selected and shown at:

New Designers, Business Design Centre, London – Jewellery
The Contemporary Craft Fair, Bovey Tracey – Jewellery
Green Hill Gallery, Mortonhampstead – Jewellery
Textile and Innovation Centre, Ronse, Belguim – Wearable Art
Graduate Fashion Week, Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London – Graduate Fashion Collection

During my degree course and subsequently I have attended summer school courses at Central St Martin’s London School of Fashion and Plymouth Art College enhancing my skills in millinery, innovative pattern cutting and underwear design.

What I’ve Been Up To

For the last seven yearsor so I, along with five other artists, (collectively known as ‘artsix’) have exhibited together annually as part of the South Hams Arts Forum. This platform has been instrumental in gaining many commissions in both jewellery and clothes and wearable art.

Several pieces of wearable art and silver jewellery are currently on display at Nicola Hursts Gallery (nicolahurst.co.uk) a leading contemporary jeweller in Plymouth.

Quirky hats and wearable art were exhibited at Artmill Gallery in Plymouth as part of their Christmas Show.

I have recently been accepted as a full member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen based in Bovey Tracey where there is currently a selection of my work on display in the shop/gallery. The Devon Guild of Craftsmen invites its members each year to submit work for its Summer Show. I was fortunate to have two pieces of work selected for this exhibition and even more thrilled when I was awarded the Presidents Prize. Peter Randall-Page is the President, a sculptor of international repute, who said - 'I thought your work was very beautiful and sculptural, such lovely work deserves recognition and I was delighted to be able to award the prize for such deserving work - congratulations'.

I have a beautifully equipped studio to develop and produce new pieces; my aim is to create a wow factor using unexpected materials in a contemporary way – exciting!