Artist in residence (the back story)

I'm so excited to be writing about this new project, it's a first for me, to have applied for my first residency and then actually got it! Coming directly from all those self initiated projects that I want to do, because I was interested and inspired in the hope they would lead to something exciting. The residency starts in May at Discover Bucks Museum, inspired by their new exhibition 'The Saxons' which is an immersive display of 3 prominent Saxon digs from Buckinghamshire.

My task, which is funded by The Muir Trust is to be inspired by the places and artifacets created new artwork for one month, which is then exhibitied in the museum from June 6th - July 12th

Above is the work that made me think I should apply for the position:

• The Secklow circle, eco printed oak leaves with hand embroidery. Inspired by the Secklow Mound in central Milton Keynes, marking the meeting place for the Secklow hundred from Saxon times.

• One sun, many cultures. A long thin textile dyed with onion skins and modified with iron water. Adding hand and machine embroidery with gold coin foil details. The images represent how the sun has been drawn over time in many different cultures.

• The Pilgrims Walk. Inspired by an imaginary walk through Milton Keynes that passes some of the many places of historic interest. I did some of the walk in 2023, gathered leaves to eco print and imagined what I might have seen along the way. Inspired by medieval manuscripts, illustrated in oak gall ink and free motion embroidery.

• Oak gall ink, an ancient ink made from oak galls or 'oak apples' . The galls are the product of a tiny wasp growing in the acorns in the spring, so instead of a shiny smooth acorn, we get a rock hard, knobbly 'gall'! The galls are broken up and then cooked to release their tannins, giving us a wonderful rich brown ink, which turns black with a speck of iron.

• The Alchemy banners, textiles created for the Raveningham Sculpture trail in Norfolk, 2025. Eco dyed, eco printed, Indian ink illustrations and wire drawings.

The residency starts in a couple of weeks from now, but I've been planning and playing with new technqiues and cannot wait to get started.

Eco printing, oak gall ink drawings, Bayeux stitching, Saxon patterns, gold work embroidery, oak gall ink with wool couching. My plan is to create work for inside and out!

I'll be working in the Georgian Room, you are vey welcome to come and see what I'm up to.

Dates for a public talk and workshop to be announced.

Lots more to come, I'll be updating this regularly (I promise!)

I'll plan to be in situ at the museum Wednesdays - Saturdays 10-4, but please message me if you are planning to visit specifically.

Update - the website details are now live! Here is a link Discover Bucks museum

Also details for my first workshop here Oak Gall Ink workshop