Chris Crofts - Biography
Christine Crofts is a textile artist who creates rugs, wall-hangings and pictures. Using tufting, weaving, felting and embroidery, she enjoys the challenge of these different techniques, and the variety they give to her work. Her tufted floor rugs often rely on skilfully blended colour and flowing designs, with an all over smooth finish. Some have the addition of felt, and some, with simpler designs have the addition of surface carving, using an air driven tool. These rugs are made with a tufting gun, which also uses compressed air, and blows the tufts of wool through a tightly stretched backing cloth. A thick luxurious pile is formed, which is then backed with latex and hessian.
Tufted landscapes are carved in relief, emphasising the shapes of the hills, the outlines blurred by brushing and the use of yarn such as mohair. Hand made felt and a wide variety of fancy yarns add texture to the work.
As a member of The Wool Clip Cooperative, which specialises in using locally grown wool, she uses the tough, hardwearing Herdwick and Swaledale wool for a range of rugs in both natural and hand dyed colours.
Christine moved to Cumbria in 1986, eventually attending Cumbria Institute of the Arts as a part-time mature student, studying design with a leaning towards textiles. She emerged in 2000 with an HND and a degree in Design Crafts, set up her workshop at home, and started to make rugs. Her husband, Peter, now helps, particularly with the finishing of the rugs.
Her work is sold at The Wool Clip at Caldbeck and at Percy House Gallery in Cockermouth, where her fourth solo exhibition was held in May 2007.
Much of her time now is taken up with producing commissioned work, creating specially designed rugs and pictures.