Rupert and his Brother Waiting for Gladys

Having once owned an architectural antiques business, I love looking back at the past. Whether it's an old house and its heritage, or a person glimpsed in an antique photograph, their stories call to me.
When I see people in an old photograph, I wonder what lives those people lived, and why they chose to have a photo taken at that moment in time. I am drawn in by the character written in these people's faces, their gestures and posture.
Working from vintage black and white or sepia photographs allows me to imagine the lives of these people, and to choose what details, and colours, best express my vision. Researching the era of the photographs, and the clothing styles gives me further insight. I use these elements as a starting point for a composition that brings these people to life.
As the work is created, fabrics are carefully chosen for their ability to mimic both dimension and texture. A finishing touch is machine stitching to add fine details and depth to the composition.
I combine a love of history, and a curiosity about people from the past, to capture character in fabric.