Ingried Swan
Artist Statement

Stitching is an essential part of me. I can’t remember a time I didn’t stitch or knit. I learnt from my mother and have continued in some way all my life.  Having taken a degree in Chemistry because I loved colour I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly thirty years, and found that nearly every ingredient in medicines is white!   Towards the end of this time I embarked on a journey in creative stitch via City and Guilds with Julia Triston and have never stopped. I am just completing a three year post diploma course with Julia and Tracy Franklin.  My work is influenced by what is around me, physically and emotionally as I work in a very spontaneous fashion relying on serendipity to find my way to a satisfactory outcome.  I am inspired by poetry, literature and folklore and often use words in my work as I continue to explore my potential and creativity.  Having also trained as a person centred counsellor since leaving my industrial role I am interested in just where I may go with my creative side and look at this time of my life as more real. I am delighted to have joined ‘fusion’ as I have enjoyed their exhibitions.  I also am a member of a local artist network operating open studio and exhibition events and a member of another active exhibiting textile group so textile art has finally given me the route for exploring my love of colour.