My Mindfulness Rugs – How it ALL Began… 2020 – NOW

The Story of my mindfulness rugs. How it all began….

This was a project I decided to do at the start of 2020 which happened to coincide with the time when the pandemic struck the world and a time when everything changed throughout the world. Suddenly the things we may have taken for granted like physical freedom, social interactions and gatherings were no longer possible.

So many of us turned towards nature, photography and other creative resources as a way of therapy and maintaining well-being. From a very young age I have enjoyed getting creative and devising new projects.

This latch-hook rug was inspired from my continued interest in using the method of latch-hooking to illustrate abstract images using wool from memory, nature, the subconscious mind, pattern and texture that surrounded me at that time……

_{I gifted this particular textiles rug to my family as a special birthday gift for their significant birthdays in 2021.}

This rug was inspired by one of my contemporary paintings and the beauty that’s beneath the sea which is sadly rapidly shrinking as the bleaching strikes the coral reefs around the globe.

I began this rug during a time when I was living in Turkey but visiting the UK for 3 months for the first time in over 2 years as I was unable to get back due to the pandemic and governmental restrictions.

At the time this was a mindful piece which has evolved gradually over the last few years as and when I had spare pockets of time.

The piece was finalised Spring 2023. I decided they are ‘mindfulness rugs’ a variation on the prayer rugs one would use attending mosques in Turkey. I was fascinated by some of the Turkish and Islamic design concepts and customs.

This rug took on a different approach post pandemic and whilst living permanently back in the UK where I continue to reside now. The methods also included using digital design and technology methods. This is a collaborative piece which was made as a fun experiment to explore the concepts of digital design in conjunction with the overall design of the rug as part of the design process for the mindfulness rugs I create. This particular rug includes two red panda’s a badger and two beautiful birds in a fantasy landscape drawn and created from the subconscious by myself and another fellow artist. It was a very enjoyable project to do and it takes on a rough and natural feel despite the design being very specific originally!

Each rug takes me on a journey of discovery and it made between working, singing and dancing. This year I have been working on a new rug this time continuing the theme of my second rug. I am creating a series of rugs inspired by the vibrant and beautiful corals found beneath the sea. The design has not involved digital intervention or experiment it is purely organic and free flowing from my subconscious. I’m fascinated by colour theory and mindful approaches to arts and creative practice but I do not overthink it’s overall aesthetic and I don’t focus on the concepts of colour theory to determine the colours of my rugs. I just enjoy the process and the results…I hope you will enjoy my work too.

^{I can make a bespoke rug for your business or a special individual…}