ARTIST STATEMENT

Batik was a wonderful personal discovery and adventure in the early nineties in Malaysia, where I lived for one and a half years. My early tutors were Malay batik artists, but my own style soon began to emerge and develop.

In 1992 I moved to North Cornwall (UK), to a village on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The moor is a particular source of
inspiration: from the vastness of the downs to the minuscule detail of algae on granite, from the humble remains of yesterday to the rich nature of today. Several years ago I began to take notice of the moor's pools and streams - originally looking at wildlife which drew my attention to the beautiful seaweed-like plants that grow in springtime. The wildlife and the weeds combined with an unexpected third - the rhythms and patterns of water movement - to inspire this series of works.

After a three month return to South-east Asia in the winter of 98/99, my batik techniques changed dramatically. Instead of the traditional drawing tool, the canting, I am now more likely to use found objects or home-made wire stamps for the application of wax. Tools range from kitchen implements to machine parts (some un-nameable!), to scrap ... well, whatever comes to hand! I can't say for certain, but I believe the stay in North-east Thailand and Laos encouraged me to experiment with these new tools. People there are much more resourceful, utilising whatever is around them, wasting little.

I have exhibited my batiks in London, Scotland and Germany as well as widely over the Westcountry, and they are in private collections in Britain, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. I run various batik workshops for adults and in schools, and give talks to art societies and others. I have an autumnal passion for making living willow sculptures, and a developing interest in the digital arts. [Resume]