Sometimes it takes a long time to complete something. This piece - Gentle Soul - that I finished in February I started making 2 years ago. I was experimenting with ink on paper and really loved the vibrancy of the ink colours. The paper, that I picked up from a washi shop in Kyoto, is like corduroy and quite soft. Because of this almost fabric quality I though it might be interesting to use thread and somehow stitch it together. If you look closely you may be able to see the black stitches. So I've ended up with a patchwork, collage thing that works well against the shiny black board donated by my art mentor.

Heard this morning that Gentle Soul has been shortlisted for the Milburn Prize. The prize winner will be announced on Friday 29 April. Come and have a drink!