WHERE IT STARTED

My Grandpa was the gentlest man, here we are at our village carnival sometime in the 80’s. I inherited from him many things you cannot touch, but something I could physically hold, a bundle of maps and postcards led me down a path I didn’t see ahead of me.

It began with the old postcards, playing, cutting and arranging simple silhouettes. Following an intensely brilliant year at Leeds College of Art and then a very conceptual Fine Art degree, I was excited to finally be heading down a creative road which felt right for me.

I’m pretty keen on birds and instinctively drawn to shapes in nature, particularly birds from the British Isles. I am passionate about bird conservation and hope to spark curiosity about wildlife and raise awareness about species decline through my collections.

 

FIRST PIECE

This is the very first piece I made using my Grandpa’s collection, I named it ‘Blue Tit Thief’

Now…. I get my milk delivered in glass bottles but these modern-day Blue Tits haven’t caught on that they can steal my milk.

Which I’m sort of glad and sad about all at the same time.

 
Kate Thornton birdwatching

WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME

I have spent the last ten years or so working from my second home, a studio space within an historic textile mill in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

I run my business as sustainably as I can by regularly reviewing the products I make and searching for new ways to create less impact on our environment. I work with British companies and suppliers using FSC-sourced paper wherever we can.

Alternatively, you may find me out and about, binoculars in hand exploring any landscape that might be good for birds and other wildness!

 
Kate Thornton Studio

creating work with connection. I make bespoke art pieces just for you

I connect with nature in a way that helps me make sense of things, it brings me opportunities to learn, and reasons to protect and it gives me the solace I need when things get too much.

I LOVE creating work which brings elements of these together. I can produce a special piece incorporating an old map which has a connection for you and bring it to life within one of my simple nature-inspired silhouettes.

I have a special guide to ordering Bespoke Prints, just click the link below.

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