Debbie Farrell – Oxfordshire Artweeks

82 Debbie Farrell

Region: Wallingford – South & Vale

Artform: Textiles

I am a practising Textile artist who specialises in Free-motion Embroidery. I am particularly inspired by woodlands, sunlight, landscapes and the coast. The colours of the threads are built up and blended together to produce a textural depiction of the scene without compromising on the vibrancy.

I use my sewing machine as a tool to draw and paint with, changing my thread like one would change their paint colour. I take off the tension and can then be free to go in any direction, creating any texture I wish. Gold, silver and copper metallic threads are often used to capture sunlight and reflections. It catches the light when an embroidery is hung on the wall, adding another dynamic to my pieces.

Having studied Textile Design at degree level in London, I went on to design furnishing fabrics before moving into teaching, where I taught Textiles and art to A Level.

I now spend my time creating my own work through the medium of embroidery. I mainly produce landscapes of Oxfordshire, Cornwall and Switzerland, although I also create a lot of dog portraits as commissions as well!

I am influenced by sunlight and the light and shadows it creates amongst the trees or on the water. This is a common feature in my work and one I create using metallic threads, which is one of my favourite mediums.

I am lucky enough to live in Ewelme, South Oxfordshire and we have a wealth of inspiration in the Chilterns and along the ridgeway. I also try to get to Cornwall as much as possible and I really enjoy creating embroideries of the seascapes and coast around Polzeath and Rock.

For the second year running, I am exhibiting with another fellow Ewelme resident, painter Trisha Scott, who produces wonderful vibrant local scenes and coastal paintings.

We hope to see you in Ewelme in May during the South Oxfordshire week of May 2nd – 10th.