Shelley Rhodes
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I worked as a graphic designer for the BBC and Granada Television for eight years before re-training to become an art teacher. I discovered textiles and ceramics and loved both. After several years, I had the opportunity to work part time and study embroidery and textiles in greater depth. There was an instant passion and I have been stitching ever since.
My recent mixed media work includes fabric, paper and stitch with paint, ink, dye and printing. I combine painted and printed papers with dyed and painted fabrics. Sometimes, I incorporate found objects, pins, staples and wire. The collages are stitched and often re-painted and re-worked with chalk, ink and more stitch.
I like to travel and my work is often influenced by places I have visited. My current body of work is based on the faded, crumbling buildings in Old Havana where time has altered, worn and softened the colour and image. I use very simple hand and machine stitches to enhance and emphasize areas, using the needle as another mark making tool. Recently, I have combined my love of ceramics with stitch and have been experimenting using paper porcelain in my work.
I love working in sketchbooks and for several years I have recorded something visual everyday. This could be a drawing, collage, painting, words, colour study, found object or photograph. My little sketchbooks have become my visual diary and I love them.
I am a member of the Embroiderers' Guild and of Green Door Studio Artists.
Shelley Rhodes