Processes
The starting point
My creative process is not set in stone, it’s completely visceral. For example, I often find that I am inspired by many things. Nature, experiences and memories can often be the starting point for my work.
I then think about a concept and select foliage, rope, or other plant fibre I feel is appropriate. It has to feel right in my hands if that makes sense. Like I said its completely visceral and has to enliven my senses.
Sometimes this process is quite a lengthy one. Some concepts just don’t work and end up as just samples, other concepts end up as large scale artworks. Some times I sketch… but more often than not the piece of work evolves as I begin to work on it. I often draw on previous samples to inspire me too!
Processing materials
The process very much depends on the artwork I’m creating. It can range from harvesting foliage, drying and retting, to use as flexible weaving material such as Cordyline and rush, to preparing foliage to use in a dye bath.
This will Involve sometimes boiling and soaking foliage, and adding mordants to add tonal depth and colour. I find extracting colour from foliage really exciting as you can never guarantee the outcome. For example Loquat leaves produce the most beautiful reddish pink hue.
Each dye batch is always unique. It’s so gratifying to see the range of natural hues of a dye batch as they hang outside drying. It’s completely joyful! I particularly love using plant dyes in my coiling work.
