Denise Averay

Denise Averay in Torrens Park, Adelaide, SA is listed under Clothing Stores.

I’m a textile and surface design artist and teacher based in Adelaide, South Australia.

​Colour, pattern, and texture in textiles have always been a part of my life,

Relishing in experiencing fabrics by sight, touch and smell from a very early age.

I have a penchant for the unusual, the sumptuous and the exotic and am excited by the very idea of transforming plain

White cloth into something that is complex and that glows and dances before the eyes – just daring one to pick it up and experience it.

​I fell in love with painting on silk in 2001 and soon discovered Shibori, the Japanese art of shaped resist dyeing.

I am enraptured with altering fabric by the many resist techniques this art offers – binding, clamping, folding, twisting, stitching or tying.

The tactile nature of preparing the cloth for colouring and the element of surprise after the cloth is dyed, as well as the colours and textures that are revealed, always excites me.

​Inspiration comes from many sources – our wonderful Australian landscapes, our flora and fauna, and the colours so unique to this country;

textiles of the arts movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly the wallpapers and textiles of William Morris;

Artists such as Gustav Klimt who capture pattern, texture and colour so brilliantly; and contemporary textile artists and designers.

​My design process is intuitive and my love for pattern, texture and colour create unique textile and paper designs that are full of depth and complexity.

I value the old-fashioned processes of drawing and designing on paper and colouring cloth by hand,

As well as digitally manipulating images of my work to create new designs and coordinating patterns.

I aim to have as low an eco-footprint as possible so

I use sustainable methods and ethically sourced materials, choosing natural fibres and recycled, repurposed or vintage fabrics, where possible.

​I love sharing with others and teaching what I know so they can explore their own creativity.

My classes and workshops are for absolutely anyone interested in creating their own unique textiles and papers for their individual art, craft, fashion or home decor projects.

You don’t have to have experience or even consider yourself to be artistic, just join in and have some fun learning something new – it’s good for the soul!

I enjoy a relaxed and informal atmosphere with plenty of chatter, sharing and feedback in my classes and work environment.

I have worked with the community as an artist-in-residence at an Adelaide Hills

Community centre designing and delivering classes and workshops in colour theory, textile and fibre art, and creative sewing techniques;

As well as working on children’s holiday arts and crafts programs for the South Australian Museum and as a school art room volunteer.

I am a qualified Trainer and Assessor who has training and experience in small business management, interior decoration, and arts administration and gallery operations.