Chrissie Gregory of ChriSea Designs is a textile artist and photographer working out of Kwoorabup/Denmark, Western Australia. Capturing nature on a macro scale, Chrissie observes patterns and textures, translating these explorations and unique beauties to a wearable format.

After completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Curtin University, majoring in Jewellery/3D Design and minoring in Fibre/Textiles, Chrissie worked as a screen printer for three years. During this time, her printing skills and interest in graphic design developed. Pursuing her love of visual art, Chrissie worked the following decade as a gallery assistant. Exposed to a rich variety of visual arts and creativity in this environment inspired her personal arts practice and saw her love of textiles and unique fabric designs return. Alongside her arts practice, Chrissie runs Artistree, a shop in Kwoorabup/Denmark that represents artists in the Great Southern region and beyond.

Growing up, Chrissie’s Nan would take her out “looking”, teaching her the importance of appreciating tiny details and the art of noticing.

“We would spend hours looking at shells on the beach, wildflowers in the bush, or at patterns on leaves or tree bark.”

Speaking on her creative process, Chrissie detailed that she starts with a walk to gather inspiration, taking photographs of the natural landscape, observing light and patterns, and listening to sounds.

“If my focus is a particular environmental issue, for example, then I will go looking for that place or creature in its habitat.”

Drawing her inspiration from the ocean and bushland, Chrissie photographs closeup details: dragonfly wings, bubbles in the ocean, or dewdrops on leaves. Photographic clarity is taken and abstracted in the design process, creating a type of metaphor for the puzzle of human life.

“It is the perfection and random order of these patterns in nature which present us with a sacred geometry, which awes, inspires, and humbles… We are reminded that one is but a tiny speck in the infinite canvas of the universe.”

Speaking about how there is typically no singular timeframe in completing a piece, Chrissie noted that some take several weeks and other take months to finalise.

Chrissie emphasised that capturing a sense of place is deeply important in her process, especially considering how much of our landscapes and wildlife are under threat of endangerment in our current climate.

On the impact of her pieces, Chrissie explained that she likes to think of her scarves and wraps as a way for people to take a small piece of a place with them, or pieces to be gifted to remind someone of the wonderful places we are lucky enough to enjoy.

“Sometimes they are my way of trying to get a message across, like caring for the cockatoos, for example… Sometimes life can throw us challenges, so seeing things like an orchid push out through the tough gravel, or a raindrop exquisitely perfect on a leaf, can brighten up your whole day and put a smile on your face!”

Chrissie hopes her pieces create a moment to pause, acknowledge, and appreciate the layers that surround us in our daily lives.

Images courtesy of Carol Duncan, Serena Kirby, and Chrissie Gregory.

Grace Starcevich