art maker
arts engagement practitioner
wellbeing facilitator
latest projects
work in progress
my website is continually in development, please keep checking back for new uploads
Nature Mandalas
outdoor nature art instillations
Images below are of a nature mandala co- created with women service users at M.A.SH. We are experimenting with ideas for an exhibition at The Manchester Festival of Nature in June.
It felt special to bring the beauty of the outdoors into an indoor space.
Click on the gallery to see the mandala take shape.
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Springfest at Victoria Baths, Manchester with Manchester Action on Street Health.
Women attending the drop in sessions at M.A.S.H spent January to April exploring different craft making. This resulted in the creation of craft pieces for a stall at Manchester's famous heritage gem Victoria Baths. Plant pots, Macramé, cushions, coasters, key rings and more. Our sessions also involved planting seeds and potting plants. Well done to the women and volunteers involved, we had some very pleased customers!
Nest
I was awarded a micro commission in conjunction with Arc,Stockport to facilitate an arts and health project with residents at Acorn Recovery, a rehabilitation service for adults experiencing issues around addiction . This project was entitled NEST and culminated in an outdoor exhibition at Reddish Vale Country Park, Stockport.
Participants have taken part in creative explorations on the theme of nests and eggs. We have had interesting discussions on the metaphors and symbolism around new life, nurturing and growth. Beautiful nests have been individually created with natural materials sourced locally, it has been eye opening at what beautiful objects can be found even over winter. Dogwood, Willow, Teasels, Buddleia, Pampus, Birch bark and cones are examples of materials used. Displayed within woodland we had curious people wander around the area investigating the artwork, we also had the odd bird visitor!
Please have a browse through our gallery below.
Nest Haiku created by the group
High in the bare tree
New life waits hidden from sight
In nests lies treasure
Research into assemblage art, altars, and nature art
Professional Development supported by Arts Council England
I am taking the opportunity to spend time and energy on developing my own artistic practice. Having focused my career in the field of arts engagement over the past years , I am now expanding my practice to develop specialism in conceptual assemblage art . This has I hope will strengthen my skills and professionally propel me to work in different ways. I have received Developing Your Own Creative Practice funding from Arts Council England to help me achieve my goals. This page is dedicated as an online portfolio of evolving work, new practice and concept exploration.
I am fascinated by the symbolism behind found and organic objects in assemblage art, the significance they represent and the thoughts they contain. The idea of investing them with new life and symbolism holds fascination and sparks imagination.
My research has led to an investigation of the traditions of altars, ofrenda and nicho making, cultural and artistic practices used through Spanish, Latino and Hispanic cultures. These cultural artforms are used in commemoration and celebration of people that have passed on. Indeed, my journey into this research has been informed by the recent loss of a very close friend in June 2020. I also believe, there is potential to utilise these practices to make collaborative and interactive art installations inspired by altars ,infusing assemblage art techniques in different locations with different materials.
I am inspired by how using and transforming objects can create powerful and dynamic artwork. My research is taking me around the world both digitally and physically, connecting to practicing artists in the U.S. and Spain. In September 2021 I travelled to The Alpujarras in Andalusia Spain to research assemblage art with natural materials with local artists. More info below
Ofrenda del Oro
This altar was created during a research trip to The Alpujarras in southern Spain. Working with assemblage artist Nikki Bee Spectrum and crafts woman Kate Lushley, we sourced local natural and found objects as a starting point for co creating the altar. The alter will be used within a Dias de los Muertos celebration at the beginning of November, when local people are invited to bring offerings and photos of loved ones for commemoration and shared prayer.
The altar has been made using cana, fresh and dried bamboo, chumba, yucca leaves seed pods , local stones and dried flowers. We had intended to leave the altar over night and decorate the next day with fresh flowers, however a huge storm blew into the valley in El Morreon, so this will be completed another time. Ofrenda del Oro means offering of gold.
assemblage explorations with found objects, clay and natural materials
Pop up Tents mixed media and poetry concept
The concept of creating and redesigning tents came about through an outreach workshop with Women`s Direct Access Hostel in Manchester. Participants are asked to add imagery and words to express issues on personal and social themes. This idea has also been explored in workshops in 2020 with Centrepoint, a charity for young adults experiencing homelessness. I hope to expand this idea by connecting to other charities and individuals. The idea to have a touring exhibition and festival of tents , I believe, could have huge potential. This may also raise awareness of issues relating to social disadvantage.
Arts on wheels creative outreach during Covid 19
Arts on Wheels is a unique creative outreach initiative.
During 2020, within the lockdown pandemic restrictions, I initiated a postal project to nursing homes and residential care settings. This has focused on therapeutic collage making, self portraits in paper and group reminiscence activities.
Through this venture I also now offer creative therapy workbooks and activities that can be easily facilitated by care staff.
Please email for more information
MASH drop-in and blog
Since 2018 I have collaborated with women attending a drop in centre at Manchester Action on Street Health (M.A.S.H) This charity offers outreach services to women who sex work in the Manchester area. There is a wealth of writing talent at the centre, many of the women have used poetry as a form of therapy throughout their lives. Some of the women have aspirations to publish their work and share their voices and experiences in a public realm. Please note that some of the content of this writing may contain upsetting themes
https://mashvoices.wordpress.com/2018/12/29/trashformations-art-project-2019/
I also run a variety of creative activites including craft, clay making, gardening and card making
Back on Track,Manchester
Since 2012 I have worked as a sessional tutor at Back on Track, an education charity based in Manchester for adults from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. I have devised schemes of work and lessons relating to a variety of subjects. This includes 3d art, art inspired by famous artists, creative writing, Manchester art, wellbeing, art for wellbeing, drama, nature art and Manchester history.
