This year we added 5 new artists to our website, following our summer artist competition.
We love Nade Simmons' vibrant, abstract designs, and we are thrilled to be adding her work to our website. You can find her work on her Wraptious page - and read on to find out more about amazing embroidery art.
When did you become an artist?
I studied art at college, after completing my Foundation course I went on to complete my HND in Design and Creative Arts. I then completed a further two years study to gain my degree in Applied and Media Arts at the University of Hertfordshire.
I started painting again and began learning to hand embroider nearly two years ago after my daughter was born.
What inspired your design?
My competition designs were inspired by the countryside around my home. I am very lucky to live close to some beautiful meadow walks that have rivers and streams running through them, they’re my favourite place to go. Dotted around you will find the odd piece of graffiti which I just love, the bright splashes of colour and shape within the natural environment is very interesting to me. I try to fuse these two elements within my work, to emulate the feelings of walking through these contrasting landscapes rather than an accurate depiction of the area.
What materials did you use?
My designs were created firstly by stitching a piece from colourful wools and embroidery threads which I then photographed. I then took these images and drew over them digitally on my Ipad to create these wonderful bright solid colours over the stitched marks. Oftentimes I lose most of the stitched pattern underneath but it's really a springboard for the final design.
Where do you work and create art?
I am lucky enough to have a large dedicated studio space in our home, it's a light, airy room with a high ceiling and I am able to display my work around me as inspiration!
Where can we find more of your work?
My website www.orbreyandthemodist.com has links to all of my social media and online shop.
Who is your favourite artist?
My favourite artist of all time is Patrick Heron. I have always loved his amazing use of colour and will often lose myself in his work when I need inspiration!
What's something creative you have done during lockdown?
I was really fortunate at the time that lockdown happened to gain a bursary with the School of Stitched Textiles to study for a City & Guilds in Hand Embroidery so I was busy completing the first two modules during lockdown. I also started to experiment a lot with creating art using recycled materials due to not being able to source supplies very easily. I created a series which I called ‘Funky Junk’ which I will be releasing later in the year.
What is your best piece of advice for other artists?
I'm a strong advocate of experimenting and making mistakes so my advice is to play with your materials often and push at the boundaries, most likely it will give you lots of new ideas!
Favourite quote?
Robert Eliot - ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff’, I say that all the time!!
