Copyright 2007 Jennie Gilling. All Rights Reserved

My background is in embroidery and textile design, which I studied at Canterbury and Croydon Art Colleges. I have been making paper since 1983. Apart from being an artist I am a professional gardener and have also worked on floral stands at the Bath Spring Flower Show and at Hampton Court. I am a founder member of PaperWEIGHT, the UK-based group of paper artists.

My early work in textiles emphasised surface decoration. I now manipulate the surface by using handmade paper and this is made from recycled sources and plant fibres. These are arranged into collages, often combined with embossed and cast pieces, calligraphy and further mixed media applied.I have been writing poetry for many years and often place text in work because the extra layer words give to an image take the viewer outside the frame. I have produced two limited edition artists' books of poetry with a third on the way.

Current work explores an old photographic method using sunlight, called Cyanotype, developed by the astronomer Herschel. The technique produces a beautiful blue and I use flowers for many pieces, such as 'Herbaceous Blanket' The technique allows for extraordinary detail, like a delicate x-ray, as well as the subtleties within individual forms. It is part of a link with my horticultural life and my love of plants.

The creative process provides me with a way in which I can distil my experiences. My themes focus on the natural world and my response and interpretation evolves into both written and art work. I am drawn to the stories behind landscapes - the marks and signs of older worlds that map our environment. The chalk hillsides of Wiltshire provide plenty of these.