Maggie Johns

I'm a creative practitioner, I paint, sew, sculpt, carve, constantly exploring materials which I find both fascinating and challenging.

I have been described as:

Playful, Intuitive, Inspired, Reliable

'Having broadband access to a world of beauty',

My work has been described as:

Innovative, Emotive, Vibrant, Engaging

'as fine as the line between reality and fiction, like the skeleton of a moth's wing.'

My way of working has been described as:

Exploratory, Responsive, Balanced, Skillfull, Intuitive, Flexible, Diverse, Consistent, Magical

How did I get started?
I initially studied 3D design then went travelling through Europe, which opened me up to different cultures and ways of living, I had caught the travel bug and my curiosity and fascination for small things, painting and cultures was combined when I studied Indian miniature painting in India. Spent a few months in the Himalayas studying Tibetan Tangka painting and teaching kids crafts which ignited a dormant passion for teaching, making things and inspiring others to create.

What am I doing now?

I spent some time in the South of France and on returning to the UK, continued to work with kids doing workshops with an arts company in Kent. I've continued to explore through making structures for carnivals, parades and festivals and am fascinated by new materials and mechanisms. I now work with a number of arts companies, theatres, schools, businesses, organisations and regularly collaborate with other artists.

What's my work all about?
I love seeds – the idea of seeds – something so small containing all it needs to become a gigantic tree, intricate flower, nutritious vegetable etc

I see my work as planting seeds of creativity and thought in children and adults alike.

I am fascinated by design, both womenmade and natural - particularly in environments, events and sculptural forms.

Recycling is very much part of the way I live and work. I am always looking for creative solutions to use what already exists.

Mediums I regularly explore are paint, paper, willow, wire, polystyrene, digital media.

Where did I study
I studied 3D design in Hertfordshire and Indian Miniature painting, for a couple of years, in Nagpur, India. I make sure that I take a course a year in whatever material I am exploring at the time. I am fascinated with this process and believe this keeps my creativity fresh and inspired. Some recent courses taken include giant puppet making with Australian theatre company, Snuff Puppets, weaving using recycled materials with Lois Walpole, Bush Craft Survival Course with Natural Pathways and Carnival masks with Barracuda.