I am a Historical Textiles and Mixed Media Artist based in Kent.

My work explores History and the Human Condition. Working as a Theatre Costume Designer taught me the skills of deconstruction and distressing of fabrics, along with design and reconstruction of garments. Researching periods of history was an essential part of the work and this lay the foundations for my textile artwork.

A later career in Social Work specialising in Child Protection and in a Hospital setting, I was constantly surrounded by trauma and suffering. My faith sustained me during difficult times, particularly during some personal tragedies. I found I would produce more artwork as a therapeutic tool.

Combining the skills of my former work I produce art which has a historical element and depicts trauma, suffering, loss and abandonment. Using social work skills of using the senses, I try to imagine how people lived and ask myself how they might have felt or how they survived. Having researched the period I try to imagine myself living during that time and this acts as a motivator to produce the artwork.

Sometimes I need to step back from my deeply emotional work, and paint landscapes as a complete contrast. This is a way of seeing the beauty of God's creation. I am reminded of Baptism and become refreshed.

There has to be an emotional response before I begin a piece of work. It could be something I see, or hear, or a tactile response to feeling a fragment of old cloth, even clothing of a passed loved one.

I am very much aware of my faith during my work and feel the subject matter closely aligns with the Sacraments. After all, we are all human, and we all suffer, as did Jesus.