Landscapes

What makes a scene precious to us and worthy to hang as an artwork on our wall? I believe the answer to this encompasses both what is seen and what is felt in the heart. I try to capture both aspects within my art embroideries, the warmth of the day, the weather and light, the angle of a line of trees of buildings and the special little glimpses or a pop of colour within the bigger view.

I layer natural fabrics to provide a background reflecting the textures of the natural landscape. I then paint the background in my favourite palette of soft colour using gorgeous French fabric paints which give chalky colour and atmosphere without any residue. Free motion embroidery then gives the final great detail and depth in a loose pen and ink style. The result is an atmospheric calm picture which enhances most decorating styles and aims to capture memories of special locations.

Eric Ravilious

I particularly love the paintings from the 1930s of the South Downs and chalk paths by Eric Ravilious. There is something about his quiet palette and the stripeyness of his brushstrokes that lends itself very well to translation into free machine embroidery. As I am basically using my ancient Bernina machine as a mechanical paintbrush, to form very very long and thin lines, stripes come fairly easily!

I have both original embroideries and cards available on my shop. If you can’t see exactly the scene you want, then why not commission your own piece?

Commission an art embroidery to commemorate a special place or event

An original artwork in paint and thread makes a lovely gift to mark a special occasion or to remind of a special view or place. It could be a favourite view from the area one was born or lived, a precious landscape or the location for a special event. A commissioned piece to capture precious memories makes an unusual and very personal gift to mark a wedding or special anniversary, as a retirement gift, birthday gift or even a unique christening gift to mark the arrival of a new member into the family.

As I am making a memory, capturing a landscape that is precious to the recipient, it is important to me to find out from anyone who commissions my work what they most love about a view or a place and to try to include anything that will help to reference this.

South Downs Sketch Collection

This is a collection of small embroideries of South Downs landscapes, many from photos taken on my walks throughout Sussex and along the South Downs Way. They are 6 “ x 4” embroideries on calico, mounted in oversized white mattes and then framed in a simple frame with a choice of black, grey or pale wood effect moulding. They look great displayed as a collection on a wall. Have a look on my shop for the current choice available, which includes views along the South Downs Way, Chanctonbury Ring with cyclists, Worthing Golf Course and Nepcote Common at Findon.