HANDWOVEN IN SCOTLAND
ABOUT
The soft light and open skies of Shetland, alongside the layers of hills and sea in the Outer Hebrides are the foundations of my woven textile practice. Drawing inspiration from these elements of earth, water and air, I observe how the movement of weather casts light and shadow onto the colours of these islands. To me the landscape is an immersive place where I draw from sight and sound, collecting objects which bring these colours from the distance into the palm of my hand.
The weave structures I develop focus on giving space to create colour variety over the warp and weft faced sections, mimicking the way the elements weave their way through the landscape. Tweed structures also influence my practice, as the simplicity of pattern allows for more complex colour blending through frequent yarn changes.
While outside, I find myself writing poetry around the themes of home, peace, and celebration of the landscape. These ideas start to take form in my sketches and photographs of the sea and hills, noticing patterns, rhythms and key colours which I can then translate into woven textiles.
If you’re interested in a bespoke piece or would like to discuss a commission, I would love to hear from you. Please get in touch to explore how we can bring your ideas to life, inspired by the landscapes and themes that influence my work.
About the Cloth
The cloth is designed with contemporary structures that reflect the durability and hard-wearing qualities of traditional tweed, whilst offering a soft, luxurious feel. This combination of elements captures the timelessness of handwoven, artisan goods.
Choosing yarn is a reflective process, drawing inspiration from observations, memories, and experiences within the landscape. To capture these meaningful moments, I work with lambswool and Shetland wool spun subtly with fibres in a spectrum of colours to mimic the way hues blend in nature. To add glimmers of light, like sunlight dancing on water, I use alternative fibres such as seacell (a blend of seaweed and silk), banana fibre, and cotton in small measures.
My hope is to bring you a sense of the landscape that inspired the cloth's creation.