December, 2025

 

There are theories that argue that “things” have an absolute intrinsic value, independent of personal or cultural influences. But I’ve always believed that inherent value (meaning the worth or importance that a thing possesses in and of itself ) is utterly subjective. How can it not be?

 

I appreciate craftsmanship and I support proper pay for artisans and small business, but I don’t believe (for me) that a jumper ever needs to cost more than £200. It’s worth that much to have quality wool, well knitted, that cared for will last a lifetime.  But to others, that value might be half that, or triple that. Or more. It’s all in relation to the individual.  

 

Similarly, things can have an inherent size at which they feel right to me. For years when I was hoping to move from the city to the countryside, I used to say “I’d like a little cottage”. And people would say to me, “Why do you always say a little cottage? Why not a big cottage?” Well, I have a big cottage now and even though I love it, it feels too much.This idea has nothing to do with self-worth. It’s not that I think I don’t deserve a big cottage - I believe I deserve a palace! - it’s simply that a big cottage involves a lot of work and effort in the house and in the garden and that amount of work compromises the pleasure I can take in my home.

 

I believe whole-heartedly in moderation. Not austerity, but moderation. I know I am literally one of the luckiest people on the planet in terms of where I live, my advantages in life etc. But I don’t want cupboards overflowing, or so many clothes I never wear them, or an expensive new car. I like simplicity and beauty and this is how I try to live my life. A house of natural materials, (wood, plaster, stone, coir) and everything in it carefully considered. Books that mean something to me, but not too many. Furniture I have made, or art crafted  by friends, or iron fireplace tools that take me back every time I look at them to two old men in a tiny brocante shop in France packing up the whole shop to move somewhere else and almost paying me to take them away. Objects that have been treasured by someone else before me, or a beautiful, loving gift carefully chosen by someone I love.

 

And yet, for a long time, despite living this way, something hasn’t really felt completely authentic in my life. 

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And now, I've finally realised what it is. My work life is completely at odds with this notion I have of size and scale and what is congruent for me. 

 

It isn’t that I want a “small” life at all. I strive for a life which is rich and full and loving, where I do work that inspires me, and build relationships that fulfil me. But as time passes I’m coming to realise that I want that simplicity that I crave in my surroundings to be reflected in even more of my choices. And I wonder if perhaps we all need to move back to a smaller world, less global - more community based - where London isn’t the be all and end all. I’ve come to realise  that prestige comes not from having my work on the wall of a big gallery, but from being able to spend my time in my studio doing what I love and creating art that makes my heart sing and hopefully yours too every time you see it on your wall.

 

And so we come back to that notion of inherent value.

 

Like everything else, I think my work should have an inherent value for you and it’s not undermining me, or diminishing me to acknowledge that perhaps that value is lower than it generally appears for sale on gallery walls.  

 

And that’s not to diss galleries for one second! Galleries are amazing and  they do an incredible job themselves supporting artists and trying to make their own bottom lines add up. But however much you love a piece of art, like a beautiful jumper, there is only a certain amount that it is worth to you.

 

So I’ve decided to simplify how I sell my work. I am slashing prices. Really slashing prices. That’s it. And then, crucially selling locally or directly from my website at prices that far more people can afford.

 

So please, take a little time next time you sit down with a cup of coffee, to take a look at the website and see what I mean. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

 

And of course if you have any questions or you just want to say hello or make a comment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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