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Since retirement from Academia, I enjoy exploring my creativity through mixed media and stitched textiles. I have studied with Tracy A Franklin (Royal School of Needlework at Durham) for traditional hand embroidery and, creative contemporary stitched textiles with Sian Martin at (Distant Stitch). Inspiration comes mainly from the natural environment. I draw influence from my surroundings whether that be the landscape, geology and industrial heritage of an area, or a country-side or sea-side walk. I enjoy travel, exploring wide vistas, wild places, fine architecture, museums, galleries and different cultural experiences. In my themes, I look for the fine detail to explore new ideas. My works in mixed media and stitch draw on skills of traditional hand embroidery alongside contemporary techniques. I dye my own materials using procion dyes, or natural sources as well as rusty objects creating colour and patterns on fabrics, threads and paper. The sometimes unexpected textural and colourful results inspire abstract interpretations in my work. I enjoy manipulating digital images of my original works to highlight and emphasise the unusual. Occasionally I put down my needle and thread to take up scrap papers and glue to create small art works of mixed media collage. In 2022 I developed a series of postcards based on the theme Travellers in Time. Mary & Mathild ladies from 1890, and Geofrey and Gregory from 1830, make their appearance on a series of travel related collage art cards. You can follow the sequence of cards below
I am an intermittent gardener with variable results. Originally there was a grand scheme for a purple and white garden with striking evergreen foliage but that idea fell on deaf ideas... However, I enjoy a bit of pottering about in our tiny patch when I have the energy to do so. Visiting grand gardens for inspiration makes for a lovely and relaxing day out. Particular favourites of mine that have done reasonably well in the garden are: Hostas, Irises, Agapanthus, Gladioli and Hellebores. I love Delphiniums and Lupins, but the slugs enjoy their early growth more so they don't seem to survive from one year to the next. Some successes to share are shown below (click on the first image to view a larger version with caption). In 2022, I am trying to grow delphiniums in large patio pots...
I am a member of: Interface Arts Durham. an exhibiting group of creative artists from Co. Durham (This link goes to an external web page). Society for Embroidered Work. an online international group of textiles artists promoting 'Stitched Art Is Art!' (This link goes to an external web page). Take a Stitch 2 Durham an Independent Stitch Group, from Durham and the surrounding area. Richmond & Leyburn Creative Stitchers, an Independent Stitch Group in North Yorkshire. (This link goes to an external web page). I am also a member of the Embroiderers' Guild UK, and one of a small group of fellow textile enthusiasts called 'Green Stitch'. Forthcoming and Recent Exhibitions:
For further information on my works or for purchasing/commissioning pieces of unique textile art please contact Penny by email. Go to 'Take a Stitch 2 Durham' from here. Go to 'InterfaceArts Durham' from here. Follow me on Instagram: 
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