For every picture I create being inspired is always the starting point. I always work from a photograph, usually my own but this piece is based on a photograph by Ashley Morris. He used to be be my next door neighbour, he now lives in France and takes beautiful photographs. I asked his permission to use this one as my starting point

It was the combination of colours and atmosphere in the scene that made me want to capture it in stitch.

As usual I started by make decisions about the size, format and composition and then the creative process can follow. I am quite organised in my studio (if a little messy at times) and for me that makes the creative process flow more smoothly.

I keep my threads organised together in colour ranges making it easy to select the ones I need for each project I use my source photo, often on my tablet, for reference