I am a textile artist living in Mawdesley, Lancashire and first became interested in textiles at secondary school. I joined the Embroiderers Guild when I retired early from teaching in 2001.After many day courses I began studying for City and Guild’s stitched textiles, gaining the Diploma in 2009. A piece of Diploma work was selected for exhibition at the P.A.D. gallery in Preston for which I was awarded third prize

I find inspiration from many sources but especially through the vibrancy of colour in the natural world and I enjoy the challenge of contemporary design. My garden gives me a never ending supply of ideas. Travelling to incredible areas of the world is also inspirational and a recent trip to Peru and the Galapagos Islands filled a few sketch books!

My designs are developed through a combination of digitally altered photographs, experiments with different materials and sketchbook work.

I love working with texture and often combine natural fibres such as wool, silk and paper with distorted layers of synthetic fabrics. The addition of hand and machine stitch gives an extra dimension to my work.