Nell has been designing, dressmaking and embroidering for as long as she can remember, getting her first sewing machine at the age of 7. Now a full time Textile Artist, Nell thrives on the challenge to create unique stitched thread art.
Nell completed her HND and BA Hons in Fashion and Textile Design in the UK during this time she discovered her passion for machine embroidery.
Nell’s explorations with free form machine embroidery are self taught and in the Summer of 2005 she completed a City & Guilds Level 3 Machine Embroidery Course which allowed her to take her ‘explorations’ to a higher level. Shortly after completing her City and Guilds Nell moved from the UK to BC, Canada, where she became a full-time textile artist.
Nature, environment, people and cultures are inspirations Nell uses to create forms, textures and surfaces that engage and excite her viewer. Stimulated and inspired by artists like ceramicists and carvers who can create seamless sculptures, Nell thrives on the challenge to explore form, colour and composition to create 3-Dimensional forms with just stitched thread, her own seamless sculptures. Nell is continuing to hone these techniques to create an exceptional portfolio of work. Nell is driven to explore and push the boundaries of free motion embroidery, her imagination and her sewing machines!
Nell is an exhibiting artist, taking part in many group exhibitions in BC as well as her own solo exhibits. Her work is held in public and private collections worldwide. Nell has undertaken a number of private commissions as well as being published in a number of international publications. As a member of the Vancouver Guild of Fibre Arts and North Shore Needle Arts guild (President from 2008-2010), Nell keeps in touch with current products, artists and issues in the textile world. Nell has taken part in public stitch ins and has designed, managed and contributed to two major group projects, one which has been donated to the North Vancouver district for permanent public display.