There’s nothing more calming than losing oneself in the feel and smell of ink and paint. I use simple processes, but ones that connect me to the whole spectrum of creation. From spotting that special moment in the world around me and taking that visual narrative down into a photograph, to printing it into the background of my work and then overlaying it with the whole story I’ve created in my imagination around it, I’m there every single step of the way. That tiny world is mine, like a whole book on one visual page.

Showcase of “The Dancers” for International Women’s Day.

“Excellence has no sex” (Eva Hesse).

The Dancers began with a papercut inspired by a Matisse sculpture highlighting the beauty of the female form. Matisse lost dexterity and was supported by female artists who also inspired his work. The Dancers shows a mother and daughter, one based on a female sculpture and the other a young ballet dancer. Story of this piece shared in support of International Women’s Day 2021. “You can’t sit around and wait for somebody to say who you are. You need to write it and paint it and do it.” (Faith Ringgold).

The pieces I create combine basic, joyful printing techniques from my own photography with papercutting, collage, paint and sometimes stitchwork to create fairy story, folk tale, and video game narratives reminiscent of daily life.

My production leans heavily towards recycled items, mixed papers, watercolours, gouache, acrylics and single cut papercutting. My inspiration has always been growing up in a family of strong women scattered across the Midlands and North, and the many books I have relied on for new worlds, curated from my life as a teacher and librarian. My continual love of education, which eventually drew me to my MA in Literature and Digital Cultures, was where I began my specialisation in the links between fairy stories and video games.

Moss Pole Toppers and Plant Accessories

As well as actual plants and cuttings, I aim to make fun, affordable, practical accessories that add to the design and functionality of your tropical indoor garden. These 3D printed Moss Pole Toppers/Waterers for example are designed to feed and water the moss in the moss poles supporting aerial roots, allowing sizing up of leaves for plants that prefer terrestrial growth sites such as vines and tree climbers.

Sam’s Plants

Part of my creative process where I lovingly grow and cultivate a range of happy and often rare baby aroid plants in the North of England. Located in the scenic Yorkshire countryside, I draw nature into my artwork by creating one-of-a-kind ink and paint pieces balanced between nature and art. My tropical Araceae plants and cuttings transform my creative space. I also 3D print cute, fun plant accessories that are sometimes available at my craft stalls, such as glow in the dark ghost pots!

The soothing sense of greenery and growth encompassed in the peaceful machinations of an indoor garden cannot be underestimated. Try creating your own personalised oasis by adding a young philodendron or monstera, or even a glow in the dark ghost pot with a marble epipremnum. Your whole creative space will suddenly feel very different.