Based in Kilmacolm, she works from her studio just a stone’s throw from the coast, where much of the inspiration for her work is found. Scotland’s coastline provides an incredible resource of colours, forms and textures. She regularly visits remote coastal locations around Scotland, studying and recording the landscapes and birdlife that inhabit these environments. Working into sketchbooks with watercolours and coloured pencils, she captures the essence of these places, creating a visual diary to bring back to the studio.

Textiles have always been an important element of her artistic expression and the way she interprets the coastal landscape. The medium provides a vehicle through which she can respond to her subject matter in a more abstract and expressive way.

Her fascination with the coast is rooted in childhood holidays and memories. She has always been intrigued by what lies around the next headland and is captivated by the continual change and renewal brought by the incoming tide. Beachcombing and exploring the intricate details and patterns found along the shoreline remain a constant source of inspiration. She is particularly drawn to the meeting point of sea and land, where erosion creates rich textures and patterns that offer endless design possibilities.

Often, it is the smallest details that influence her ideas for creating printing blocks and stencils. Inspiration can come from the shapes of fossils embedded in rocks or from the simple limpet shells scattered across the beach.

Having studied Printed Textile Design at Glasgow School of Art, her work remains firmly rooted in printmaking. Today, however, she approaches print in a less technical and more fluid, spontaneous and expressive way, using simple techniques such as lino, collagraph, gel and drypoint printing. She frequently works onto organza and gauze, allowing her to layer fabrics and create depth through colour and pattern.

Recycling materials is a significant part of her practice. Rather than continually purchasing new fabrics, she makes use of available materials and sources unwanted textiles from friends and family that might otherwise end up in landfill. Charity shops also provide a valuable source of fabrics for reuse. This approach often leads to unexpected possibilities and fresh creative ideas.

Once a collection of printed fabrics has been created, she begins cutting and tearing them, combining textures to build multilayered backgrounds. These are then reassembled using free-motion machine stitching and hand embroidery. Her aim is always to enhance the printed surface rather than overwhelm it with stitch.

At the beginning of 2021, during the lockdown period, she decided to explore a new direction in her work that would complement her interest in coastal textures. This led to the ambitious challenge of creating an A–Z of Scotland’s Coastal Birds in textiles. The project has continued to grow, with new additions being made each year.

A significant aspect of her artistic practice involves teaching her techniques through both online and in-person workshops. She enjoys sharing ideas and introducing new approaches that encourage greater appreciation and understanding of textile art. She has taught a wide variety of groups throughout the UK and, in 2023, was invited by Fibre Arts Australia to teach in Victoria and Tasmania. She is scheduled to return in 2027 and will also be teaching in New Zealand.