About Chris
"I’m Chris, a textile artist based in rural North Hampshire, where my studio sits at the heart of my creative practice.
My work explores the beautiful and unpredictable process of cyanotype, combining botanicals and photography to create ethereal images of landscapes, iconic landmarks and the natural world. I work across paper and upcycled cotton, linen and silk, allowing the character of each material and the cyanotype process itself to become part of the finished piece.
My favourite place to be is in my studio - experimenting, making, getting lost in my thoughts and continuously learning something new.
Much of the natural inspiration in my work comes from close to home. The foliage used in my botanical prints is gathered from my garden or collected on walks through the fields with my dog. I’ve also brought home interesting leaves and grasses from travels further afield. My landscapes, city scenes and iconic landmarks begin with photographs I have taken myself."
"My passion for fashion, making and textiles began when I was young.
At 15, growing up in Cornwall, I was making and dyeing clothes to sell at markets, before going on to study for a business diploma at The London College of Fashion.
I continued to live and work in London and remained immersed in the fashion industry, while exploring and learning different creative techniques along the way.
Eventually settling in rural Hampshire gave me the opportunity to return to textiles in a deeper and more considered way. I went on to study Textile Design and many other amazing printing techniques at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, graduating in 2023.
It was during this time that I discovered Shibori, block printing, screen printing and what has come to be my trademark, cyanotype."
Sustainability
Sustainability is an important part of my practice.
Wherever possible, I work with recycled and upcycled cotton, linen and silk, using fabrics that have been given to me, sourced online or discovered in charity shops. I occasionally need to purchase new materials for particular commissions, but I always try to reuse and repurpose wherever I can.
For me, sustainability isn't about limiting creativity. It's about looking differently at the materials around us and finding new possibilities in things that might otherwise be overlooked.