Merryl Shand

After completing studies in fashion design and spending most of my career in the fashion and textile industry, I became a member of TAM in 2015.

Sewing and working with textiles has always been a passion of mine. When time allows, I work as a milliner and have created and sold many hats over the years. Inspired by my grandmother, who sold “model” hats for an exclusive department store, I started developing my portraiture skills to better show off my hats to customers. I particularly enjoy creating dog portraits, often adding garments to reflect the personality of the dog or its owner. Textiles regularly influence my work, and I have experimented with felting and making art using fabrics and stitching in place of traditional brushwork.

Since joining TAM, I have gained confidence in exploring a range of artistic pursuits. The group consists of members from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique styles, skills, and influences. Their encouragement has inspired me to try different subjects and mediums, often outside my usual comfort zone. I enjoy working with coloured pencils, watercolour and acrylic paints, and always appreciate the opportunity to learn something new.

The social aspect of TAM is a significant reason for my involvement. Recently, we have met to learn new techniques in mediums such as cyanotype and lino printing. Occasionally, we organise gallery visits to further our knowledge and appreciation of art. TAM has played a highly influential role in my artistic life over many years and I doubt I would have ever improved as much without them.

Contact me through the website or merryl.shand@gmail.com