artists and tutors sharing ideas imagination and skills
Canale Grande
An exploration of European Renaissance architecture; paper, stitching. 26cm x 26cm x 18cm
Canale Grande detail
An exploration of European Renaissance architecture; paper, stitching
Ancora acqua alta
Transparent fabrics with machine embroidery; paper overlay. 82cm x 35cm
Ancora acqua alta detail
Transparent fabrics with machine embroidery; paper overlay
Sketchbook
Venetian images
Exploring Venice
Developing three-dimensional ideas
As an embroiderer I have two passions, Venice and historical embroidery especially from C16th and early C17th. Most of my most recent work has been inspired by Venice though, when I look back, water has always been prominent in my work. As a recent past Chairman of the Embroiderers' Guild (2002-8) my stitching time has been limited but I have contributed to the Embroiderers' Guild international exhibition, art of the Stitch twice, with "Canale Grande" and "Ancora acqua alta".
I trained as a Primary School teacher but the schools I taught in were keen to make use of my textile interest. This experience proved useful when I became Chairman of the Young Textiles Group, the under 18 Members of the Embroiderers' Guild, in 1990. During my six years in office, two conferences for teachers and a major touring exhibition, A Splash of Colour, raised the profile and promoted the work of the Young Textile Group.
Involvement with textile education in many other fields has been ongoing. Working with the Embroidery Development Scheme of the Embroiderers' Guild I reviewed the work of individual Guild members who have set themselves their own challenge rather than participate in a structured course. For twenty years I taught the City & Guilds advanced textile courses.
I lecture and teach practical embroidery courses throughout the UK and at National Seminars in USA and Canada. Currently many of my courses and lectures are on historical embroidery techniques especially of the C16th and early C17th: Unravelling Tudor stitches: Black, white, colour and gold: Curious needleworkes: Stitch by Stitch. Working with the education department for Glasgow University and Glasgow Museums I have lectured on historical embroidery and taught adult and children's embroidery courses linked with exhibitions. Currently I am helping catalogue the embroidery in the Burrell Collection in Glasgow.
A contributing author to the Textile Study Group publication Embroidery Studio and regular contributor to Embroidery and Stitch magazines, my research on Tudor stitches and techniques will be published in the future.