Although always having had an interest in Art and Textiles it was only when Gina gave up full time work to bring up her family, she pursued her interest, initially taking a Foundation Course in Art and Design with the Open College of the Arts. This was followed with a textiles course and then several City and Guilds courses in Machine embroidery up to Diploma level. Gina is currently studying for a BA in Embroidered textiles.

Although enjoying a variety of creative pursuits it is with machine embroidery that her passion lies. She loves being able to work with the machine building up colour and texture in a spontaneous way. She also likes to work with paper, metal and wire as well as fabric, using machine embroidery to bring the elements together.

Often taking her designs from nature, much of her current work is based on leaves. She also likes to work intuitively building on a piece as it develops taking inspiration from a colour or texture or sometimes even the written word. Her work includes pictures, hangings, bookcovers, bags, jewellery, garments as well as smaller items such as cards.

Gina also has a particular interest in costume and accessories, both theatrical and as worn every day and is fascinated by the way what we wear can be seen as an extension of the personality of the wearer.

In addition to producing and exhibiting her own work Gina teaches machine embroidery at Missenden Abbey, Great Missenden and at other workshops around the country. She also runs community and school workshops in a variety of textile techniques including printing and fabric painting. Gina is available for commissions, exhibitions, workshops and residencies

www.ginaferrari.blogspot.com

Contact: textiles@ginaferrari.co.uk

Site updated 03.02.08