Reparation 1

Oil, collage and stitching on canvas 12 x 12in Early in life I was surrounded by my mother's knitting, dressmaking, sewing, repairs and darning. Although my interest in textiles was inert then, I became almost obsessed in my mid forties whilst taking my BA Fine Art Degree. At the time I explored avenues in textile but haven't pursued textiles as passionately since. However I rekindle from time to time a desire to incorporate textile elements in my work. I enjoy the meditative and soothing qualities the activity of stitching brings me. I use the structural qualities of stitch to enhance a painting by integrating with the whole, but is a challenging medium to work in a non decorative way. More recently I've been inspired by The Bayeux Tapestry to which a hand stitched contemporary version is the central focus in this piece. Using discarded paper and fabric collage, recycled bits and pieces around the studio, including old clothes and stitching into scraps of material, I then glue onto the canvas or stitch directly into the canvas.