It`s hard to pin point what has been most influential in my work, so many things have contributed; inspiring tutors, places, materials, exhibitions like, ‘sensations’, artists, countryside; all of it blurs together. I can`t remember a time when I didn`t make, I always loved to use my hands and make. I remember being as young as seven and not being able to let go when drawing and painting, I could never finish anything, it felt too distant, but making was much more instinctive and playful. Making has always been about the materials and exploring them. When I had the confidence to turn away from painting at university and embrace ‘making,’ I started to construct miniature paper environments. I think I was being more true to myself and that was probably a turning point for my practice.

During my MA these environments became room sized installations and I started to experiment with different fabrics and textile techniques. I was always encouraged to keep sketch books by artists and inspiring tutors, which helped to allow me to play and experiment with materials. It somehow felt safe in a sketch book! After my MA at the RCA, I started to make jewellery, because I couldn`t afford a studio I focused on developing jewellery. I always have a sketch book to hand and it`s still about playing, experimenting and using materials in different ways.

I realised both my artwork and jewellery had a strong link through my love of craft. I received a grant from the Arts Council to develop and integrate these two disciplines together. This resulted in ‘The Talking Tower’ exhibition at Turton Tower. Since this exhibition, both practices have continued to influence and inform the other. This has also resulted in me becoming even more interested in developing work that responds to a certain environment or building.

In the last few years laser cutting has become part of my practice, so use laser cutting to create detailed miniature environments or pictures made from walnut, mount board, fabric etc and room sized laser cut environments.