Michelle Holmes graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Stitched Textiles. She now works from a studio set in the National Forest on the Leicestershire/ Derbyshire border. Michelle creates stitched drawings onto cloth inspired by the freshness and open space of the British Coast, Countryside and Night sky. She records real characters and buildings, wildlife, the changing seasons and different light qualities in her sketchbook, taking these as starting points she creates her embroidered stories exploring journeys. Particularly interested in what encourages and inspires us on the unexpected and planned ones. She has been using the Moon as a symbol of a dramatic journey to the unknown. Also as a symbol which encourages exploration and a sense of fascination and wonder.

The embroideries are a mixture of machine and hand stitching onto hand dyed Linen, cotton and silk background. “I am interested in the interplay of light on the surface quality of fabric and the character of precisely placed appliqués of carefully selected fabrics, some worn and faded, taking particular consideration to the inherent meanings and associations each conveys.”

Background are also made with Cyanotype (Blueprints) to capture light qualities from specific times of the day. Within the cyanotype symbols from maps and natural forms are used to describe an atmosphere. using free machine embroidery, Michelle stitches line drawings of figures which often appear lost in thought or contemplation. Detail is added with hand stitching in linen and silk thread together with tiny beads. Her aim is for the work to have a meditative quality which allows or invites the viewer to become part of the story. She is particularly interested in what encourages and inspires us as we explore the new.

Michelle’s work is held in many private and public collections and she has exhibited her work extensively throughout the UK, Europe and the USA. In 1994 she won the Best New Exhibitore Prize a the prestigious Chelsea Craft Fair and the Carroll Foundation Award. Her work is also featured numbers publications, including the cover of Embroidery Magazine (Sep/Oct 2011), as chapter headings in Nina Edward’s book On the Button which explores the cultural history of the button and most recently to illustrate the book Aldeburgh A Song of the Sea. She has undertaken a wide range of commissions including pieces for Nieman Marcus USA, Habitat, P&O Cruise ships and the Enjoy England Excellence Awards.