I have recently completed an MA Art, Space & Nature at Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh, UK). My interest is in personal experience of nature connection, landscape (particularly the coast and islands) and creative process.
I am skilled in, and enjoy, both artistic and academic work.
My methods of creating and writing are both observational and intuitive. I use these ways of working to produce handwoven textiles as fine art and as design, to write blogs or articles for my own website as well as in collaboration with outdoors and heritage organisations.
My textiles and writing have been described as conveying a very strong sense of place, through my natural aesthetic for proportion and colour, and my immersive, intuitive and at times meditative use of word.
Connecting people with nature and their own creative response is a particular interest.
I'm also currently training to be a Seasonal Yoga Teacher. I plan to work with natural cycles - seasons, moon, tides... in my yoga teaching as I do in my creative practice, and offer opportuntities to combine yoga, wellbeing, nature connection and creativity.
I share some of my writing through the blog on my site - on place, nature, authenticity/self and creative process.
In both making and writing I'd be interested in working to commission and in collaboration.
Work history
H
H
Handweaver, Writer, Artist & OwnerHome is an Island
United KingdomFull Time
Handweaver, writer and artist based in Cortachy, north Angus, Scotland.
Colour, texture and feel of each handwoven piece is created intuitively as I absorb all of these elements from the landscape, light and a very personal connection with place. Being an islander is such a strong part of my identity but I also love experiencing 'off island' environments - rivers, mountains and lots of trees for example, I feel I see these with completely fresh eyes as they are such a contrast from the places I know by heart.
My work develops first from capturing my personal response to place through writing, photography and a little sketching. Sustainability in making is a very important part of my work, with careful sourcing of all materials being a priority. I've mainly used Shetland wool so far but I'm keen to explore other types of breed specific fibre from the UK and eco-friendly plant fibres such as flax, along with recycled yarns. Creating practical textiles for interiors and art textiles.
I also share some of my writing through the blog on my site - on place, nature, authenticity/self and creative process.
In both making and writing I'd be interested in working to commission and in collaboration.
J
J
Wholesale Account HandlerJamieson & Smith (Shetland Woolbrokers)
- United KingdomFull Time
My main role was the management of J&S' wholesale client-base and sales. As part of a very small team flexibility was essential. The job also involved working with my colleagues in all aspects of running the physical shop, online shop, customer interaction and support in person, online and by phone.
* customer-focused development of wholesale client database to reflect the unique preferences of each business
* optimised sales recording to show, clearly, volume, values and geographic distribution
* researched, completed applications, organised travel and attended wool and textile sales shows such
as, The Knitting & Stitching show, Woolfest and Edinburgh Yarn Festival
* developed and improved communication between J&S, current and potential wholesale customers. Through providing prompt responses, detailed product information, relevant opportunities and a personalised approach
* joint responsibility for, creating content for social media platforms - Instagram, Twitter, Facebook - and the J&S blog; development of events, competitions, new products, and book design
= all of the above led to significant sales increases within the two years since my role developed.
+ Show more
Skills
- Hand Weaving
- Creative Writing/blogging
- Photography
- Ethical Design
- Sustainable Materials
- Practice-led Research
- Fine Art
- Textile art
- Textile Design
- Yoga Teacher
Education
MA Art, Space & NatureEdinburgh College of Art
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
"The Art, Space and Nature programme offers a multidisciplinary framework to explore the complex intersections between creative practice, spatial theory and environmental issues, as a critical response to the world around us."
Responding to specific sites in the landscape, work was created for exhibition in a particular gallery.
U
U
BA(Hons) Contemporary TextilesUniversity of the Highlands and Islands
- United Kingdom
2:1
I specialised in weave and explored this through artwork as well as product design.
A natural aesthetic for proportion in design, photography and weave, and intuitive use of colour.
On completion of the BA (Hons) year I had entered and won Country Homes & Interiors magazine's Small Country Business Award. This encouraged me to set up my own business, Home is an Island, where I began designing, making and selling handwoven products for the home, and writing about creative process and landscape.
+ Show more
Awards
C
C
My Country Business Awards - Emerging Talent using British WoolCountry Homes and Interiors Magazine
Won for my graduate collection of handwoven cushions and blanket designs using Shetland wool.
www.homeisanisland.co.uk/press/