I am a designer maker and I produce work from my home workshop, The Shed, in Cheshire.

I am inspired by time spent out in the countryside or by water. I’m drawn firstly to the colours and then to the shapes.

I explore my initial response to a land or seascape through mark making, printing, collage, and stitch.

But it is in knit, using traditional hand knitting as well as modern machine knitting techniques, where I love to really develop ideas. The process of designing and knitting from my initial works on paper becomes a meditation once there is yarn in the mix. Working with yarn in my hands is the grounding force that connects me back to the land.

The pieces I create range from small 3D objects to full size blankets and more. They can be functional pieces or purely decorative.

Joanna at work in The Shed

Exhibition view, “The Tunnel Project”

Exhibitions

Sensing Place Fibre Arts Take Two

Material World 2025

Castlepark Arts Open 2024

Collective Stitches 2018

Commissions

Radiate Arts:

The Tunnel Together Project 2022

Rag Rugging Workshop 2021 - online

The Spider Project 2020

Theatre

Jack and the Blingstalk, (Harold Pinter Theatre) 2019

Shirley Mander, (The Playground Theatre) 2018

The Autumn Garden, (Jermyn Street Theatre) 2016

Nantwich Players: Colder than Here 2018; Playhouse Creatures 2016; Charley’s Aunt 2015; Jamaica Inn 2014; Bazaar and Rummage 2014; The Lonesome west 2014; Boeing Boeing 2013; Therese Raquin 2013; Calendar girls 2012

The Bonn Players:  Curtain Calls 2008; And go to Innisfree 2007; 2 Previews and a Premiere 2007; Shall I compare Thee 2006; Arms and the Man 2006; I Can’t remember Anything 2005

Independent Bonn International School: Zoom 2007; Robin Hood 2006; Creepy Crawly Christmas 2005

Stars in Your Eyes 2000 Early Birds Bunbury

Stars in Your Eyes 2003 Earl Birds Bunbury

Joanna.mcdonald4@btinternet.com