All Natural

Natural materials from the forest, beach and surrounds are a feature in many of my pieces. However, this collection singles out some of my more interesting finds. Perhaps the most unusual piece is the giant cactus leaf in 'Towards the Light'. It is always satisfying to find accompanying branches that perfectly frame, or help shape a piece. 'Palm and Bark' is a good example of this and in 'Beach and Sea' where tiny pieces of coral and shells nestle comfortably on the small twigs. It is always a delight to find the perfect match.

Palm and Bark

Palm bark and forest branches on dyed tea bags, with beads and embroidery

The bark from the Palm tree is course, hairy and stretchy. The tree naturally sheds the bark from the bottom as it grows. These pieces lay around the base of the tree and looked like two flying creatures. The found branches from the forest not only offer support for the ‘wingless creatures’, but follow the shape of the forms. The dyed tea bags suggest sunlight filtering through the leaves of a forest.

Frame 74 x 58 x 2 thick x 5 deep cm - mount 6 cm

Flying Palm

Palm bark and forest branches with beads and embroidery

These two rather unremarkable pieces of palm bark have been given beaded eyes. They are suspended in flight by adding the support of curved branches. These also echo the form.

Frame 48 x 48 x 2 thick x 5 deep cm - mount 7 cm

Beach and Sea

(2 pieces, Coral first then Shell)

Coral and forest branch on silk, with silk painting and embroidery

Three seemingly ordinary pieces of coral. But look again. See the strange shapes of each, which curve and snugly hug the piece of branch. The contrast in the colours of the coral and bark is stark, but the bark has its own intricate detail. The silk painting echoes the subtle shades of the forms and is further enhanced by embroidery, which traces the shapes and highlights the textures and patterns.

Frames 49 x 49 x 2 x 5 deep cm - mounts 11 cm

Unfolding

Found shells, forest branches and silk painting on silk, with embroidery

These shells were collected from a beach in Portugal. Slotted together, they look like a fan. The curved textured branches found in the forest completed the image and the linear markings on the shells and bark were extended with silk paint, texture and embroidery

Frame 51 x 43 x 2 thick x 5 deep cm - mounted on board

Towards the Light

Skeleton of a giant cactus leaf on hessian with dye and embroidery

This skeleton of a giant cactus leaf was found on a cliff walk by a beach in Portugal and looks like a giant fish. The branches were found in the forest and perfectly frame the shape. The cactus skeleton needed no embellishment, except an eye to personify the shape. The dye and embroidery draw the eye along horizontal waves, and it seems as though the fish is swimming.

Frame 57 x 47 x 2 thick x 5 deep cm - mounted on board

Towards the Shore

Seed pods and silk painting on silk

The two types of seed pods seen here originate from the Jacaranda tree in Africa and the Kentucky Coffee tree in the USA. Small holes were drilled into the seed pods allowing them to be secured onto a background. Arranged together, they seem like fish, swimming in a shoal. The silk painting helps to create this effect..

Frame 66 x 46 x 2 thick x 5 deep cm - no mount

Art by Design