About - Felt Artisan

Kirklees 2023 Woven Festival at Somerton

Background

My work has been purchased from my gallery over the last twenty years for private collections all over the world. New York USA, Canada, Italy, Spain & Uganda to name just a few. I also exhibit in many galleries, from the Scottish borders to the Home Counties.

From my childhood I have held a passion for textiles, art & design, remembering the designs of printed cloth from the age of four. Whilst at Stafford Art College I studied Fashion Design & Embroidery. During this time I became aware of the then increasing availability of ethnic textiles. Their exciting colours inspirited me to create unique handmade garments.

I completed many commissions for bespoke special occasion garments. An understanding of how textiles influence our surroundings led me to interior design. I acted as an informal consultant, executing many schemes.

On moving to Holmfirth in 1980 I returned to my embroidery skills, developing freehand textile landscapes, which were sold at Holmfirth Artweek.
I discovered felt making in 1994 through an interest in millinery. I was an active member of The International Felt Makers Association for many years, learning & teaching.

A lifetimes concern for the environment means that I always use sustainable materials.

This is my embroidery piece submitted for the City and Guilds qualification in 1968. I designed and created the work shortly after leaving school at the age of 17. My embroidery tutor was Jean Draper who went on to be a worldwide highly thought of textile artist who was National Chairperson of the Embroiderers’ Guild from 1995 until 2001. Some years ago, I tried to contact her through her publisher and the Guild but received no response. I wanted to tell her what a wonderful inspiring influence she had been to me. I found out recently that sadly she died in January 2023. I am certain that her books, students, clients and art galleries around the world will keep alive the talent and skills of this amazing woman who gave so much credibility to contemporary textile art.

This is the lounge of two of my clients who collect my work. It shows how the softness of textile art complements a contemporary relaxed space. Thank you David and Alison somewhere in Warwickshire.

Statement

The unstructured nature of felt with its endless potential gives me freedom of expression for my imagination. It also offers the opportunity to exploit the many techniques of working with textiles that I have gained over the years. The incorporation of natural materials & new methods introduces a contemporary approach to the ancient & traditional technique of hand felt making. For me contemporary felt carries a bond from the past but with a focus on the future.

I also welcome commissions from your ideas, which I can create by interpretation or I can produce similar work from my original designs, which have already been sold.

The Mayor of Kirklees 2022/3 Councillor Masood Ahmed

Recognition

My work and our gallery is fortunate enough to have the support of successive Kirklees Mayors. We have been invited to receptions as a mark of our contribution to the community, charity fund events and raising the profile of arts in the region.

Toward the end of 2022 I was very pleased to receive recognition from Crafts Council England. I am included in the directory which can be found here where you can find details of my experience in textile art. This will give me the opportunity to expand both my repertoire, clients and opportunities.

Pictured is myself with Councillor Mayor Masood Ahmed at Dewsbury Town Hall in May 2023

Community

I participate in the Holmfirth Pop-up Art Shop several times a year. Our local council arranges for local artists to use an empty space to promote and sell original art works. We take turns keeping shop to help each other with promotion, information and sales. It is a great example of our close artistic community. Mick Kirkby-Geddes who works from the Sculpture Lounge in nearby Holmbridge organises both this and the annual Holmfirth Artweek has my admiration and deserves praise for his tireless efforts.

This piece of work was a collaboration between myself and my friend Kath Shepherd. She hand printed the fragments of cotton as part of the “Big Ideas by the Sea” quilt project which our group Holmfirth Cloth Botherers took part in during 2022.

I assembled the pieces then both machine and hand embroidered on the surface. This was my first exploration into machine embroidery, as I usually enjoy “Slow Stitch” as a means of relaxation. The completed work named Thoughts and Ideas, symbolises brain pathways in blue, leading to ideas in yellow bursts! It was purchased by a dear friend and client somewhere in Yorkshire.