I like to paint things that I have a connection with. This might be the countryside around me in South Oxfordshire or other scenes familiar to me. I work mainly in oils but sometimes with gouache and acrylic. My work is not about documenting reality; it is about sensation and mood and a celebration of colour and the emotions that colour can evoke with us. I am trained as a linguist and am a keen amateur musician; it is the the link between sound and colour that I enjoy when I paint; the pleasure I get from the chiming of colours is very similar to the feeling of chord changes and harmonies in music and it is that sensation that draws me to paint each time. I have been very influenced by the Scottish colourists such as Cadell and Peploe and also by later Scottish artists such as Anne Redpath. I have exhibited successfully at the Henley Old Fire Station gallery twice; in 2022 and 2023 and the last 3 years with Oxfordshire Artweeks.

I started needle felting in 2017 after enjoying some years expolring the art of stained glass . As with glass, the variety of colours and textures drew me in. I also enjoy the total concentration needed to avoid stabbing your hands and as there is no pattern to follow, the creativity can unfold in surprising ways. The wool fibres are stabbed with one needle to shape and firm and colours are added and layered on top. I generally prefer 3D work and to add character and humour to my pieces. There is nothing nicer than to see a little face light up in front of you!!

My practice as a textile artist reflects an appreciation of abstract artworks, in particular those in which shapes and the relationship between them, lines and blocks of colour are key features.

Informal piecing of fabric is a favoured way of working, usually with natural fabrics and threads. I enjoy the tactile change as fabric is pieced and then stitched to stabilise and transform the whole. Stitching may be applied not only for joining fabrics, but to characterise a boundary, for mark making and to create concentrated areas of interest.

I am interested in the way in which textiles can support a narrative; the idea of the gesture of stitch which is unique – a signature mark; and the emotional and therapeutic aspects involved in the stitching process itself. I have also been inspired to make some 3D items whereby the handling processes have been a rewarding part of their creation.

Janet, is originally from Essex/Cambridge area but moved to Henley 10 years ago after spending some
years in Tenerife. She paints in several mediums including watercolour, alcohol based inks and silk
dyes but presently spends most of her time sewing. Janet has a passion for up-cycling unwanted fabrics
into one-of-a-kind bags. These are based mostly on denim and feature as much of the original garments as
possible in an attempt at zero waste; she even uses 'ugly' furnishing fabrics as interlining rather than
buying synthetic interfacing. Janet admits she 'gets bored easily' so you will always see her trying new
things and never has idle hands.

I have been drawing buildings for decades and have recently unearthed sketchbooks from when I was 16 which are full of sketches from drawing expeditions with my Dad. The fascination does not seem to be waning and I find the local architecture very inspiring. If you look up above the ground level facades to the upper storeys there are some absolute gems. These pictures are all pen and watercolour.