News
Huge Papercut December 12, 2015 10:00
Craft in the Bay, Cardiff have kindly hung this papercut of mine in the window of their gallery over Xmas
Meeting The Queen December 1, 2015 09:11
I was very fortunate to have met The Queen this time 4 years ago when she opened a surgery for which I made a huge glass wall
Cat November 25, 2015 15:23
My poor cat is terrorised by the magpies in my garden. She hides in a bucket whilst the whole family swoops down to steal her food
Glass November 19, 2015 08:45
Just completed this glass commission for a beautiful home in South Wales
Summer Holiday November 11, 2015 14:01
I've just finished this papercut from one of a series of drawings I made whilst on holiday in Croatia
Finished Kits November 6, 2015 14:09
Just finished packing lots my kits and I'm really pleased with how they look
Paper Cutting Kits November 5, 2015 16:48
I've updated my paper cutting kits and to reduce the price I've taken out the perspex frame and included A4 mount board instead. It includes two of my distinctive designs and has images on several sheets so that you can progress through the stages before you attempt the final pieces. Whichever one you choose to mount will fit in an A4 frame as pictured below. (the frame isn't included in the kit)
Award November 3, 2015 15:52
I'm delighted to have been awarded with this at the weekend, especially as there were so many other amazing makers at the show :)
Made by Hand November 2, 2015 13:44
Thanks to everyone who visited my stand at the weekend and thank you to the judges who awarded me the Best Maker in Wales prize.
Wine October 30, 2015 10:00
Might give wine making a go with the crop of grapes that have grown in my garden this summer...
Made by Hand, Cardiff October 30, 2015 07:39
Made by Hand Cardiff opens today until Sunday. Lots and lots of amazing makers and beautiful work to buy.
Come and say hello to me on stand 99
Use of Digital Technologies in my Practise October 29, 2015 16:00
I have been asked to write some words about my use of digital technologies for the Xmas exhibition at The Devon Guild. It gives an insight into how I work and how I've come to use digital techniques. I hope it reads well...
Drawing forms the foundation of all my work - simple line drawings. Made with a pencil or a fine black pen.
I transform my drawings into designs for stencils and these in turn have been used to create printed fabrics, sandblasted glass and most recently, papercut artwork.
I trained as a textile designer and in 1998 I switched to glass. I began by cutting sandblast stencils by hand, firstly for glass vessels and then for small scale architectural glass projects. As my career in glass progressed I was commissioned to make large installations for public spaces. It was physically impossible for me to hand cut the stencils on such a scale, and to complicate matters the studio I used to make the glass for me was situated 150 miles away from my own studio. I was compelled to learn a computer programme that enabled me to create an accurate stencil from my drawing which could then be emailled to the glass studio for cutting by them.
Around this time I enrolled on the Glass MA in Swansea. I attended lectures on 'Illustrator' and with much practise I learnt how to manually plot every cut line on my computer and create a digital file. This allowed me to send my artwork to my glass studio and accept large commissions.
However as time passed I found I was spending a considerable amount of time on the computer plotting the stencils, and I became more and more disengaged with the material. I missed the satisfying feeling of cutting a stencil with a really scarp scalpel.
I was using black vinyl to make my glass stencil but it was destroyed during the sandblasting process, so I began to experiment with black paper which could function as an artwork in it’s own right. I cut by hand, a process I've always enjoyed, in my studio, on my own. I was in complete control of the process and the end product. It was so gratifying.
The work sold well and I struggled to keep up with the demand. Paper cutting by hand is a slow and laborious process, completely absorbing, but not commercially viable at the prices I wanted to sell my work for. I wanted it to replace my glass practise so I investigated laser cutting and by using the same digital process I am able to create multiples of my designs.
However, I always cut each original image by hand - not only because I enjoy it but I also need to ensure the composition works. If I'm happy with it I scan it into my computer and trace each and every single point with the mouse to create a perfect digital replica (this part actually takes longer than hand cutting!). The file is then sent to my local art college to cut on their large flat bed laser.
Although I limit each edition to 100, I have each design cut in small batches of about 4. This is because I invariably make changes to the digital file between each batch, always looking to improve the image!
The cut black line work created by the laser cutter is one aspect of the finished product which is then collaged with colour and mounted in relief.
Finished Piece October 28, 2015 13:00
This is what it looks like mounted onto board with some colour. I think I shall call it Stroke
Had to Cut This One October 27, 2015 10:00
I couldn't resist cutting this little one out to see what it turns out like - I know I should have kept it for Cardiff but I'll have to design another one instead now!
Made by Hand, Cardiff October 26, 2015 15:00
I've spent my weekend drawing out compositions ready for the Made by Hand exhibition in Cardiff next week where I'm demonstrating. This is one of them....
Hand Cutting October 23, 2015 11:43
I cut this by hand a while ago - it was one of the first ones I made.
Brighton October 22, 2015 14:30
Cliff Path October 21, 2015 18:00
This is the whole papercut of the detail, posted a couple of days ago
Shadows October 20, 2015 11:14
It's a beautiful day here in Mumbles and the sun is casting amazing shadows.
Cliff Path Papercut October 15, 2015 14:43
This is a detail of a papercut which was inspired by the walk I make every day around the cliff
Shadows October 14, 2015 11:58
Love the 3d effect of the papercut that's been captured by this photo
Updated Website October 9, 2015 12:43
Check out all my new work and images in my online shop...and there's more to come next week...
New Work for Exhibitions October 8, 2015 20:00
I've just posted new images of my work on my site - lots of these designs will be coming with me to my next exhibition which is inFarnham Maltings next week
New Teatowel September 10, 2015 12:40
This has just arrived - very exciting! It's a re run of an existing design but this time I've had it made with colour.
Does concentrating always make me look this grumpy....? August 19, 2015 14:00
Made by Hand is using this photo of me to promote demonstrators at their event in October...I'm looking rather cross and can't imagine that anyone would want to watch me at work! I promise to smile if you come and see me!
Workshop August 17, 2015 12:08
Had a great day cutting paper with these fantastic students. Excellent results!
Procession August 15, 2015 00:00
Cats on a Welsh Blanket August 12, 2015 00:00
I love the contrast and boldness of the red against the black. These cats are sitting on a Welsh blanket, just like my cat takes control of our rug!
Latest Papercut August 10, 2015 17:44
Just finished this papercut and it's ready to be mounted. Colour on the branch I think, maybe orange?
