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I'm an Aussie living in rural Ireland. During the first lockdown in 2020, I took great pleasure in watching the little Robins hop around my garden.

I had dabbled a little bit in embroidery before, mainly landscapes and funny quotes. I had this fantastical idea of embroidering a bird to perch on a stick, on tulle so it looked like it was standing on its own. It probably wouldn't work anyway

The lockdown was the perfect time to finally give it a crack and I have been making embroidered landscapes and birds ever since.

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#1

Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure

Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure

A stunning bird, the colours were so exciting to work on. I'm so touched to bring pets back to their families.

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Born in the Blue Mountains, outside Sydney, Australia, when I was in preschool, my favorite time of day was when I was allowed to draw and paint. From an early age, I was exposed to fibre arts such as crewel and latchhook. I saw the amazing cross stitch and tapestries my own mother made, while my Nan created magic with her knitting needles. As I got older, this love never faded but it never occurred me that making art could be more than a hobby.

#2

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Our house was often visited by these guys flitting in and out. I envisaged filling my walls with them but this isn't what I was supposed to do.

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I grew up all around Australia from the west coast, the desert to the Capital City of Australia, Canberra. I worked as a Public Servant for 10 years. I met some mythical unicorns, former Public Servants who become artists. 

With my Irish husband and kiddos, I made a home in Bungendore, a beautiful village full of gum trees, kangaroos, art galleries and cafes, outside the Australian Capital. 

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After living in Canberra and working for the Australian Government for 10 years, making a home, making a family, my husband and I decided to pack up the kids and move to back to his home in Ireland. I promised myself that I would use this fresh start to get back into art, that I loved in high school. 

#4

Cockatiel

Cockatiel

This is Duffy, a beloved pet missed by her owner. I've discovered just how special birds are to their families and I've really fallen in love with the bird community.

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After we settled into life in Ireland, with the kids starting schools, I signed up to a couple of local art classes and the morning of my first class, I said nah, I won't bother. Remember that promise I made? Fine, I'll go.

Those 5 classes gave me the confidence to pick up a pencil and start. I started drawing people I loved, then I started painting the beauty in the landscape I saw around me in County Offaly, Ireland. Then I discovered my true love, thread painting. My initial target was landscapes - first, I looked back home to Australia, my neighbor Lake George. Then the next month I recreated Fanad Head, County Donegal, in Ireland.

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#6

Cardinal

Cardinal

Birds aren't just pets, they also represent people, places and special times in our lives. The first time seeing a cardinal can be so magical. This is my most requested bird in America.

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#7

Lake George, Australia

Lake George, Australia

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It wasn't until lockdown hit rural Ireland, playing in the garden with my kids in unseasonably warm spring weather. I loved the little robins hopping around the garden. I remembered a study I read on the positive benefits of birds on mental health, by the University of Exeter, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the University of Queensland. In that strange moment, watching the world stop and the birds keeping on going, I completely agreed.

#8

European Robin

European Robin

A frequent visitor to our garden. I've heard so many stories of people in Ireland being visited by Robins in their homes or cars and knowing in their heart of hearts they were sent by loved ones. Birds have so much meaning.

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#9

Wedding At Cabra Castle, Ireland

Wedding At Cabra Castle, Ireland

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Gerard Neaux
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this one, the colors are so vivid and the scene so complex! The threads give it texture perfectly.

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Ireland exposed me to history, natural beauty and a new, interesting culture. I started drawing for the first time since secondary school. Inspired by new community, I painted a series of watercolour landscapes, titled “Rahan in Colour”, featuring sights of Rahan, Tullamore, Offaly. This series was featured in my first solo exhibition at the Tullamore Library in October 2019.  

During this series, I have discovered fibre art and developed my own technique of thread painting by embroidering on tulle. My inspiration and first bird to embroider on tulle was the European Robin or Robin Red Breast. I have sold work and been commissioned by people all around the world to thread paint landscapes and birds on tulle. 

#10

Reflected Gums, Australia

Reflected Gums, Australia

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#11

Fanad Head, Ireland

Fanad Head, Ireland

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Gerard Neaux
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is my favorite style! It's great how the threads texture the landscape. I wish the lighthouse was in focus.

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#12

Lilac-Breasted Roller

Lilac-Breasted Roller

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#13

Farm In Offaly, Ireland

Farm In Offaly, Ireland

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the way the hay bales are slightly shadowed, it makes them pop!

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#15

Scrambles The Duck

Scrambles The Duck

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Jan Kovach
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been doing embroidery since I was 9, and every one of your projects are beautiful. You must have a natural talent for it. Your shading is wonderful.

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