Hello!

Denise Gaskell – Textile and Fibre Artist

Inspiration for much of my work comes from private and public gardens, architecture, frequent trips to the coast, country and Flinders Rangers. I produce realistic representations of scenery, birds, animals and plants, hoping to encourage viewers to take a closer look. Even rocks and leaf debris warrant a closer look. From childhood I have pursued interests in drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, embroidery and photography.

Whilst taking a career break to have a family, I took sewing and embroidery from clothing into quilting. I now produce textile art which incorporate techniques including hand and free machine appliqué and embroidery, quilting, beading, painting, dyeing, printing, wool felting and anything else that seems appropriate. There is no automatic sewing machine work on my artworks.

I am continually looking for some new and exciting technique or product that will help me achieve the effect I am aiming for. This is a continuously evolving process – even during the development of each art piece. I tend to include a lot of hand work on my pieces. Hand embroidery and appliqué allows me to obtain results that can’t be achieved by machine. I use all kinds of fibre, threads, ribbons and beads which, along with fabric manipulation techniques, layering of sheer fabrics and the occasional application of dye, paint or ink, to produce a highly textual piece of art that takes advantage of light and shadow as well as colour.

I am married with two children in high school. I have a Batchelor of Applied Science in Mathematics and Computer Science, and I’m currently working on a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching. I spend as much time as I can in my studio in between school, sport, cooking, cleaning, gardening etc.

Previous exhibition venues:

Not that I enter any competitions and even many judged exhibitions. So these are really accidental achievements, which are very much appreciated. Sales are good too.