My home is in the lush countryside of East Clare in the west of Ireland beside Lough Derg, where I love to swim and many forest walks. I live there with my husband and boys and our various animals. On our land we aim to give back to nature and have planted over 300 native Irish trees.
Behind my house is my workshop, where I create. That’s where the kiln is too. My workshop is the site of hand-made items, something I am passionate about: something not mass-produced, but individually made with craftsmanship and care. I love experimental texture, mark-making, playing with materials and merging them together in unusual, organic, quirky ways. This is why stitch means so much to me — it adds detail, fabric, texture and colour to paper and painted surfaces. With my Bernina sewing machine, I can draw anything. I love this freedom.
I grew up in Dublin, and as a child was the messy and creative one in the family. As I got older, this messiness joined my imaginative worlds; I loved to draw and became obsessed by patchwork. I studied Embroidered Textiles at college. Creativity — being in a creative space — has always offered a refuge for me, a space to ward off worries. It is a strong urge and force within me.
My work begins with recycled materials and I combine layers of found papers, magazine and tissue papers to create interesting bases for my work. Stitch and fabric brings the characters to life with shape, colour, and texture. With a layer of paint, main motifs pop out with shadow and bursts of colour give strength to the work.
When producing work, I love to think that the pieces will connect with people, lift them up, and make them laugh. I produce personalised wedding and birthday gifts, and feel privileged that people want to use my artwork as a way to celebrate important occasions and people in their lives.