Nature
All of my embroideries are inspired by the patterns, creatures and plants in nature. I originally was drawn to wanting to connect myself and others with nature through making curiosity style curations without harming creatures or nature in the process, The tactile features of embroidery lend themselves perfectly to capturing the patterns in nature. I particularly love making collections that encourage curiosity, connection and love of nature, bringing collections into homes and spaces as totems of nature and symbols of flourishing, willing nature to do well. I love learning about animal symbolism and folklore and find that the symbols I come across or the characteristics of different creatures and plants appeal to me at different points and for different reasons, helping me to navigate personal and wider world shifts, interests and experiences. In this way I am always in an internal and external exchange with nature and making, taking things in and exploring things outwardly, connecting through my stitching.
As I continued to explore nature images, I was drawn further into the tiny details which make up the beautiful patterns in nature, like butterfly, moth and bird wings, I love the symmetry and repetition in nature patterns but also the uniqueness for every individual creature. The echos in patterns in nature and surroundings and how many creatures' and plants' patterns have evolved to mimic and mirror their world, resonates with the connection I am driven by. With the increasing disconnect in the Western World and beyond to nature, I feel the need to reconnect through the process of art making, bringing it forward and making the small creatures and intricate patterns present and more visible, linking them to my experiences and in turn sharing this process with others. I always find that the processes I'm drawn to relate to what I'm working through, having moved countries a couple years ago the soothing and binding together process of embroidery has been a grounding force. I initially drew strength from the symbolism of moths and butterflies as transformational creatures, and as I delved into the layers with macro nature, zooming into all the layers, it resonated with my learning about new cultures, ways of being and systemics. Beetles often symbolise community, strength and perseverance which have also been important parts of my experience in recent years. When it comes to plants, I think they are so powerful as imprints of the nature we come into contact with all the time, without even realising it, from the plants that spring up through pavement cracks, to the extravagant orchids at botanic gardens, to the dusty office plants that sit in the background. I love the form of botanic illustration and am always drawn to the shapes and colours in plants and how they piece together as part of our experience of place and belonging in an embodied and often subconscious way, wanting to celebrate all the details in light and form. A large part of getting to know Colorado has involved being out and about and learning about all sorts of new wildflowers, trees, plants and creatures.
