Marie’s artistic practice is rooted in a fascination with the natural world and the creative possibilities of working across different disciplines. Her process begins with an initial idea, which she develops through sketches and compositions before bringing it to life through painting, felt-making, embroidery, printmaking or photography.
The journey from first inspiration to a finished, framed piece is central to her enjoyment of making.
Drawing inspiration from the landscape and rural surroundings of Derbyshire, as well as the village near Ashby-de-la-Zouch where she lives, Marie explores the rich diversity of the natural environment. The forms, textures and character of native plants and countryside wildlife frequently find their way into her work, resulting in pieces that reflect a close observation of the world around her.
An accomplished photographer, Marie sees a natural relationship between photography, printmaking, felt-making and painting. Each discipline informs and enriches the others, allowing her to explore new approaches to image-making. Her photographic and printmaking practice has particularly broadened her interest in landscape, perspective and architectural form.
Since 2019, Marie’s work has been selected for a number of prestigious juried and open exhibitions across the UK. Her exhibiting history includes two Harley Open exhibitions, Patchings Amateur Artist, exhibitions with the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA), Leicester Museum Open, several exhibitions at The Sock Gallery in Loughborough, Derby Open Print and the Ty Pawb International Print Exhibition. Alongside these national opportunities, she continues to exhibit regularly with local art groups and creative organisations.
Print exchange projects are another important part of Marie’s practice. She regularly participates in the International Print Exchange and the annual 20:20 Print Exchange, bringing her work into dialogue with artists and print studios from further afield.
Marie is an active member and supporter of the creative community, exhibiting with Ashby Art Club, Derby Embroidery Group, Derby Sketch Club, Green Door Print Workshop and the Outdoor Art Exhibition at the Ashby Arts Festival. She also regularly takes part in the Banks Mill Open Studios events.
Her collaborative exhibitions include a joint show with her husband, Larry, at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum in Swadlincote, which subsequently travelled to Burton upon Trent Library Art Space. She has also exhibited alongside Chrissy Stangroom in Figurative Fancies, an exhibition hosted by Green Door Print Studio in Derby.
Through her varied and evolving practice, Marie continues to explore the relationship between observation, material and image, bringing together traditional techniques and contemporary approaches to create work that celebrates the character, detail and beauty of the world around her.