Painting with stitches has always been my primary intention and the addition of silk painting gives the work another dimension

During the 1990's I created a large body of work using the same techniques of painted silk backgrounds as a base for stitched detail

The subject matter moved from landscapes to gardens and then to woodlands. Incorporating snow scenes, fruit, vegetables and close ups of flowers along the way

The publishing of my various books has either reflected each period or helped create it

Since then I have been exploring different approaches to my work and the most recent is at the top of the selection shown below.

Each phase of development is demonstrated in one or more examples from the period.

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landscape vistas

Embroideries focusing on sweeping views of the Shropshire and Welsh countryside using my traditional method of work but capturing a sense of scale and depth in a larger format than before

Inspired by my collaboration with Steven Tai which was the largest piece I have ever undertaken

frost and ice

Primarily about using a limited palette with elements of the landscape highlighted by hoar frost. Stitch techniques were especially developed for frosty grasses barbed wire and winters trees

seascape

A new direction where the work is about movement, texture and the transparency of water interpreted with stitch rather than using paint.

Earlier embroideries always had water realised with paint. This subject matter resulted in my Seascapes book published in 2012

painted

All my work is a combination of silk painting and stitch.

This is a period where the visible painted area necessarily became more detailed and a significant part of the finished embroidery.

This led me to develop my painting skills on silk.