This piece combines paint and stitch on paper and the colours represent the slow arrival of spring flourishing through the dried and dead winter foliage.
The square pattern is known as the Shikaku pattern in Japanese art, hence the title of the piece, because I have always loved orientalism which I try to bring into my work.
Much of my recent work has focused on the combined use of paint and stitch, initially on fabric but also now on paper. Sometimes I do the stitching by hand, as in this piece, and other times I use free-motion machine embroidery, sometimes both. I have always loved working with textiles and paint and really like to combine them both, something that I am keen to explore more in future.