We're lucky to have a huge pool of talent among our friends here in North Devon - earlier this month we launched the short film about my work by fellow surfer and award-winning filmmaker Mikey Corker; now we've commissioned the textile artist Emma Cocker to create a bespoke piece for us.
Emma creates what she describes as; "quintessentially English characters, fabric sculptures and illustrations inspired by the coast and countryside here in North Devon."
Her work is crafted in knit & stitch, combining antique, vintage and reclaimed textiles with British wool. From ethical textile taxidermy in the form of stags' horns and a dapper fox dressed in his best hunting suit, to a crew of salty seadogs - Emma likes to create pieces that surprise and question.
Emma is creating a portrait box of our four dogs that we're looking forward to having in pride of place in our home - Black Labradors Pablo, Lola and Modigliani (named after artist Amedeo Modigliani), and our Jack Russell girl Winnie.
Emma works mainly on commissions, so if you're inspired please get in touch - you can find a selection of pieces for sale on her etsy shop and at a small number of UK stockists, plus key exhibitions around the country.