Working as a textile artist, my source of inspiration is the exploration of nature and the seasons.
Using hand embroidery and appliqué, I try to capture not only the richness and colour and detail of design that exists in the natural world, but also the magical effects that occur unexpectedly and which have an energy of their own. A metallic green chafer beetle landing on a deep crimson rose. A dandelion seed idly floating by. The simplicity of a poppy compared with the intricacy of a passion flower or the first fall of snow on a tracery of branches. All these different shapes and forms throughout the seasons, inspire and bewitch me. There is a great sense of theatre in each new discovery, which I hope to portray in my work. Unexpected architectural structures or an unusual colour combination that has happened accidentally – they are all part of this world full of the secrets, minute detail and sumptuous colours and textures that lend themselves so well to their translation into embroidery.
The other themes of my work – and a further fascination – are carnival and theatre and the world of commedia dell'arte. This theatrical world, being in so many ways a mirror image of the natural world, allows my work to spill over from one world to the other. Magic being present wherever you look!
Working from my studio in Richmond on Thames, I use photography and watercolour painting, in addition to botanical art techniques, to form the background for my work. This is then covered in hand embroidery and appliqué. I also use oil pastels for illustrative work.
Julia is a member of:
The Society for Embroidered Work
The Embroiderers Guild
Prism
The Society of Authors