The work
SAFE
Safe is my first fine art piece, and the one where the making and the meaning finally met. It's about that feeling of safety, the moment your body is at rest because you know you're held, and you can finally breathe. A single figure sits curled and folded inward, holding herself, built entirely from reused fabric pressed into hand-carved reclaimed yew, each piece of cloth cut and layered by hand. The materials carry the meaning too, offcuts and remnants, given a second life, made whole.
Safe, 2026, Reclaimed fabric and yew, 45 × 20 × 10 cm
Sneaky Peak at works in Progress
Detailed design drawing for The Swimmer (working title)
Work in progress carving in reclaimed wood for The Swimmer (working title)
Work in progress carving in reclaimed wood for The Swimmer (working title)
Inspiration sketch for Immobile (working title)
Drafted Carving for Immobile (working title)
Drafted Carving for Immobile (working title)
How i got to here: Prototyping
"Wendy Gardner" my first attempt at a larger piece in ply wood - I soon learnt Ply was not for this! Also an opportunity to test out various different fabric types.
The carving for "Wendy Gardner"
"Mountain Landscape" Started as a demo piece as I was workshopping the Kinusaiga technique, this piece is in foam board not wood. An easier material to work with but I want my work to be in sustainable materials.
"Loki". My first attempt at a larger piece, playing around with a colourful version of my cat. This piece is is foam board and became the showcase piece used in my volunteering workshops.
My very first attempt, a small valentines gift for my husband
Abstract figurative drawing from life, and the inspiration for Safe