Sue Payne
My interest in textile art began whilst
studying ‘A’ Level art at school where I submitted a textile piece as part of
my final examinations. Bringing up 2 daughters and a career in banking meant
that I had to put my art to one side for a few years. I left work in the year
2000 and took a 4 year City and Guilds distant learning qualification in
Embroidery and Design
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| Skyscape |
I primarily use raw, natural fabrics –
mainly cotton calico, though sometimes silk and other undyed cotton – which I
dye, print or paint before adding hand stitch. Using mainly running stitch, I
think of the needle as a paint brush – going where the inspiration takes me to
give a ‘painterly’ effect.
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| Roofscape, in Wide Horizons IV |
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| Skyscape I and II |
These quilts are not wholly pre-planned and
just evolve as I stitch. I find this a more exciting way in which to work - as well as being very therapeutic – as the
inspiration flows through to my needle. The lines and shapes emerge as I stitch
onto the background and the work comes to life!
I also enjoy making more structured works
which are designed in advance. I use pre-dyed fabrics and use discharge methods
to remove the colour rather than add paint.
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| Connections |
Here I use a combination of hand and
machine stitch – by using a sewing machine, I obtain a more structured effect
but although I feel a great deal of satisfaction in achieving the finished
work. I have to admit that my first love is hand- stitch.
I am inspired by my surroundings and the
natural landscape – obviously, living on an island, the sea plays an important
part. The changing weather patterns and seasons also influence my work and
will, I hope, give me inspiration for many years to come.
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| Coach house exhibition in Guernsey |
I am a member of The Guernsey Contemporary
Textile Artists – a group of 8 textile artists based in Guernsey. We are
exhibiting in the Coach-house Gallery,
Guernsey until mid- November 2014. The exhibition is entitled ‘The Art
of the Needle II’.
Nice to meet you Sue. Your work is so calm and full of interest.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maggi. I have just been looking at your blog - love the pieces based on Belper Mill and River Gardens. I know the area well as my youngest daughter and family live in Belper. It's lovely to make contact with fellow stitcher in that area.
DeleteIt is amazing how many of you are in Guernsey! I think I may have seen some of your work at Elizabeth College (I think that is the name) when we went there a couple years ago for our 25th Wedding Anniversary.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the needle as a paintbrush. Sometimes I feel like that as well.
Sandy