I take my inspiration from the natural world. My work concentrates on hand weaving interpreting landscape or specific natural details into an abstract form.
I use mixed media techniques to provide the interest and detail in the work, and include both hand and machine embroidery to enhance the detail.
On a recent holiday in France I drew inspiration from the unique architecture and the rustic charm of the countryside. The houses with faded shutters from a powerful sun and flowers growing in informal gardens shaped my most recent work.
After studying painting and textile design at Ulster College of Art and Design Yvonne worked successfully for Courtaulds and in studios in London as a textile designer, before freelancing. Her original designs sold at home, on the continent and in America.
On moving to Wiltshire in the 1980’s she started to paint full time, with her holidays at home and abroad, her garden and walks in the countryside constantly providing sources of inspiration.
Yvonne was invited to join Bath Textile Artists in 2007 mainly because of her hand painted silk works. She continues to work in that field and has also developed a strong interest in mixed media and collage work, often with stitching and fabrics incorporated
Her paintings are carried out in a variety of media and follow different themes according to her current interests. Sketches and preliminary drawings are essential to her approach and colour, light, form and texture are strong underlying principles. Her works include a rich mix of realistic and semi-abstract paintings in mixed media, acrylic and on silk.
Her work has been shown widely across Wiltshire and at the Mall Galleries and the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery in London; the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol; Victoria Gallery and Rooksmoor Gallery, Bath; and the Handel House Gallery in Devizes.
Her work is now to be found in collections as far apart as Northern Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Hong Kong and America.
Yvonne is also a member of the Calne Artists Group.
