Penny Laird

Born and educated in North Devon, graduated from Canterbury College of Art with a BA (1st Class Honours) degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. Worked for three years at the Natural History Museum, London, producing artwork for detailed geological landscapes and for various exhibitions including one on the Chelsea Physic Garden.

On returning to Devon, combined freelance work with teaching for twelve years, but now working full time as an artist and textile designer, using the technique of silk painting with gutta and dyes to create detailed textural patterns and forms.

Has exhibited widely throughout the South of England, and has work in private collections in Australia, South America, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy and the USA.

Ideas for paintings and textiles are inspired by the natural world - rocks, oceans, hedgerows, gardens and meadows and the creatures that live in and among them.

Future commissions include a series of batik workshops at the Eden Project in Cornwall.