Enniskillen Library was the venue for a recent reception to launch 'FreEmotion', Lynda Beatty's debut exhibition of Textile Art. The exhibition continues at Enniskillen Library until 30 April. The majority of the work comprises abstract multilayered freehand machine embroidery. There are some landscapes and some inventive naturalistic 3-D embroideries.

Ms Beatty explains: "I like to explore what can be creatively possible, pushing the boundaries of what the sewing machine can do. I love to re-use fabrics and put them into something they weren't designed for.

TREE TRUNK

"A jacket lining, for instance, can become a tree trunk, or a pillowcase becomes a field of grain. I want to depict the smells, the sound of rustling leaves, emotions and most of all, textures.

"Some of the abstract pieces were inspired by my experiences of breast cancer and creating these was my way of coping. I knew I had the requisite sewing ability, but it was encouraging to have my creative/artistic skills acknowledged."

FABRIC

She admits that, occasionally, she puts the fabric under the needle and lets the machine decide where it wants to sew.

"I'm inspired by nature, music, conversations about the weather, anything can get my imagination going, but I do love to examine differing levels of magnification of subjects. Looking on it as a whole, concentrating on a single aspect or seeing within, to the cells and molecules that make it up, these all hook me in.

"I want viewers to be drawn into the work, to fall in, to desire a closer look. I always hope my work speaks to people the same way it speaks to me, but it's a very personal thing to interpret a piece of art," she admitted.