Diane Butcher has drawn all her life and embroidery feels like another medium to draw in. She has a fascination with the small things - the hidden and the hiding, she enjoys filling her work with detail and things you might not spot straight away. She is inspired by the abundance and beauty of the small things under our feet and nature’s ability to flourish anywhere.

She starts a piece of work by making a sketch and hand sews directly on to a cotton or linen background. She usually knows what she wants to include in each picture and she likes to keep it lively so she doesn't plan too much. She draws from life and reference images as she goes.

She uses a variety of thread: old Sylkos, pure silk and cotton to create different textures and thickness of line, She may also add areas of appliqué. Finally the work is stretched and pictures are beautifully framed.

She started sewing a few years ago, whilst living on a boat as a way of recording all the beautiful things she'd seen - a Pipe fish, the phosphorescence while rowing or a Purple Hairstreak butterfly from a walk. She studied Illustration then a degree in Applied Arts and feels her work is influenced by her love of Illustrated books. Although her work can take weeks or months to complete she enjoys the process, concentration and focus - it's great to spend time doing the thing you love.