Through my work, I pay tribute to the natural world and the healing qualities that help us reconnect with nature. Celebrating imperfection and transcience, reminding us of the cycles of life, growth, decay, and regeneration. Whether it's a weathered rock, a gnarled tree, or the changing seasons, nature exemplifies the essence of renewal.
My process starts with walking, exploring local trails, meadows, and the vast Yorkshire landscape, and collecting natural forms such as branches, leaves, seed heads, and flowers that I press. As I immerse myself in the sights, sounds, and scents of nature, I reawaken a primal connection to the earth. Living in the city, surrounded by modern life where technology dominates our daily routines, I become mindful and appreciate the present moment, allowing me to escape the stress and anxieities of daily life.
Doing a Art degree later in life I was exposed to so many new materials and techniques, working mainly with clay due its tactile quality. This in turn opened up so many possibilities about where I wanted to take my creative practice going forward. Having completed various projects, I kept going back to recycling and the joy I got from creating a piece of work using discarded materials that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. I have chosen recycled paper as my medium due to the endless possibilities and the flexibility that working with paper pulp gives, as well as transforming waste into something of artistic value.
I have access to an abundance of shredded paper consisting of receipts, letters and envelopes, as well as cardboard. I create a paper pulp clay using PVA and wood glue, which is remarkably robust. I then use various molds to create a form. I also recycle used tea bags and leaves, loving the stains the tea has left on the paper, just as marks are left on the landscape. For colour I us a homemade iron mordant and watercolour/gauche paints. Layers of water-based matte varnish is added which is non-toxic, non-flammable and weather resistant.
By embracing an eco-friendly and sustainable practice, I am filled with curiosity, and the thirst to gain more knowledge that will enrich my practice.
