I make felt figures – from human-looking creatures to monsters and bugs. Recently, I worked with Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals on his new film, American Interior. I trained as a dressmaker and milliner, but my illustrator friends used to draw me wonderful birthday cards, and to reciprocate I’d take the characters they’d drawn and make them 3D.
My partner, Jonathan, is an illustrator and we often work together on projects. We have a studio in our house in north Wales. I take up more room than him with my fabrics. I begin the day by doing admin, then I’m free to sew from about 11am.
My inspiration can come from anywhere – sometimes it’s an illustration Jonathan has done. Or I’ll get an idea from a person walking down the street. Clothing fascinates me, the way people put things together, or there might be something about their stance that suggests a character. Because Jonathan and I have worked together for so long, we often spot the same details. We’ll nudge each other and say, “Did you see that guy?”
Travel has been a big influence: I often get inspired by the attitude of a place. I first went to Japan in 2004 and fell in love with it. Everyone seems to have such an appreciation for art there. Here people don’t always understand that although the creatures look like toys, they’re not for children. In Japan, I feel it’s more accepted – even the Tokyo police force has its own mascot, a half-mouse, half-Martian thing.
Often my creations get returned after a shoot and hang around for a bit, so they do grow on you. I’m taking one to the dentist’s soon to be photographed in the chair. I don’t intend to get attached to the creatures but it happens. When they get sold, I can’t help thinking, “Oh, I hope they go to a good home”.
As told to Eleanor Tucker
