INSPIRATION

I thought I’d write a bit about sources of inspiration for my work.

My designs are inspired by the work of Designers, Artists and art movements with whom I share a common aesthetic. The Modernist movement and its values are a rich seam of inspiration. Josef Albers’ writings on colour theory and comprehensive examples of colour have been a constant source of information when I make my colour choices.

I also regularly draw on the rich abstract surfaces created by artists such as Richard Smith, Franz Kline and Victor Vasarely, to name a few.
The clean minimal design of the Scandinavian countries and Japanese philosophy of art and design are both inspirations that contribute to my work.

Considering the inherent qualities of my chosen material, is influential in my choice of design. The different surface qualities, feel and weight of a fabric is a factor in choosing colour and to some extent pattern. The colour intensity of print on different fabrics can change dramatically.

I also consider how a particular fabric moves and drapes, this will impact the scale of pattern and how much of it is revealed when it is draped, folded or tied.

I like to start by working my initial ideas in a notebook. I then work on paper the size of the intended piece of work using collage, paint and drawing. The design is then reworked on the computer before being sent off to be digitally printed.
I see the computer as a tool to execute my designs rather than as a means to a complete process.