Welcome

My name is Daphne O'Connell (nee Vatikiotis) I am a self taught textile artist based in Oxfordshire, UK.My work draws inspiration from the rich and diverse world of textile art, with a particular emphasis on hand embroidery and mixed media techniques.Here you can discover my latest creations, explore the techniques I use, and perhaps even find inspiration for your own creative endeavours.Whether you are a fellow artist, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about the vibrant world of textiles, I'm excited to share my journey with you.

About me

Daphne O'Connell

Art has been my lifelong passion. I studied Art for ‘A’ Level and History of Art at University. I have always enjoyed the creative process; drawing, painting, making. I am at my happiest when I am being creative.

Creative textiles

Stitched Pictures

I discovered my passion for hand embroidery almost ten years ago when I started experimenting with textiles.I found that using fabric and thread allowed me to express myself more effectively. Up until then, I had expressed myself through drawing and painting.With embroidery, the fabric is your canvas and the needle and thread your paintbrush and paint - hence the term 'thread painting'.The meditative process of hand stitching allows you to slow down and focus on line, colour, form, etc. as you place the stitches.I am constantly learning and experimenting. Have a look through my gallery of some of my recent work.I am an active member of the West Ox Arts Society and Charlbury Arts Society.

Exhibitions

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:OXFORDSHIRE ARTWEEKS 2026
25 April - 30 May
West Ox Arts Gallery, Bampton, OxonArtweeks PorfolioPAST EXHIBITIONS:NEW WORK
14 February - 14 March 2026
West Ox Arts Gallery, Bampton, OxonFASHION & EMBROIDERY SHOW
12 - 16 March 2026
NEC, Birmingham
Finalist in the National Embroidery Awards 2026THE ARTFUL PRIZE 2025 (Finalist)
1 December 2025 - 31 January 2026
A digital showcaseARTBOX EXPO MIAMI (running parallel to Art Basel Art Week, Miami)
3 - 7 December 2025WINTER OPEN, Old Fire Station, Oxford
29 November - 20 December 2025SOUTHWARK PARK GALLERIES ANNUAL OPEN 2025, London
8 November - 6 December 2025CASTLE PARK 40th ANNUAL OPEN ART EXHIBITION
Castle Park Arts Centre, Frodsham, Cheshire
7 November - 20 December 2025EMPOWER, The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury, Oxfordshire
6 November 2025 - 10 January 2026COLOGNE ART UNFRAMED
Greatlive, Cologne (running parallel to the ART COLOGNE FAIR)
5 - 8 November 2025AUTUMN TEXTILES: THREADS OF RENEWAL
WC Curated
31 October - 4 November 2025
A digital showcase featuring nine artists and celebrating the textures, colours and atmosphere of Autumn.
view exhibitionSalon International d'Art Contemporain, Carrousel du Louvre, Paris (part of the Arts Shopping Expo)
17 - 19 October 2025ART BAR GRENADA GALLERY
1 - 31 October 2025DOMESTIC - The Animal Artspace - virtual exhibition 1 - 30 April 2025TEXTILE ART - Calderdale Industrial Museum, Halifax, UK
8 February - 8 March 2025CONTEMPORARY TEXTILES - Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield, UK
18 February - 6 March 2025THE 2024 SHOW - Meta Space Gallery
1 - 21 January 2025THE POWER OF PORTRAIT - Collect Art, Tbilisi, Georgia
29 December 2024 - 29 January 2025
view exhibitionSMALL WORKS - Fox Yard Studio, Stowmarket UK
13 December 2024 - 3 January 2025OPEN
Old Fire Station, Oxford UK
7 June - 27 July 2024

Publications

Here you will find links to publications where some of my work is featured.The 2024 Show
The Power of Portrait
101 Contemporary artists and more

Reviews

"Self-taught textile artist Daphne O’Connell approaches hand-embroidery with quiet devotion layering thread, cloth, and care into works that feel intimate and deeply observed. Rooted in patience and precision, her practice honours the slow rhythms of making and the quiet poetry found in nature’s smallest details. In Robin, Daphne turns to one of autumn’s most familiar messengers. With fine stitching and subtle texture, she gives form to the bird’s bright presence that flash of red among turning leaves, that soft reminder of warmth as daylight thins. There is tenderness here, and stillness: the sense of pausing long enough to truly see. This work doesn’t shout; it glows. It sits gently within the season, holding memory, resilience, and a quiet kind of hope. In a showcase filled with bold experimentation, Robin is a breath of calm a return to the simple act of noticing, one stitch at a time. 🍂 Autumn held in thread🧵 Patience as practice🕊️ A small brightness, lovingly kept Follow @dapny2021 to see more of Daphne’s hand-embroidered pieces and her beautifully attentive, heartfelt approach to craft."
WC Curated AUTUMN TEXTILES: THREADS OF RENEWALART FOCUS MAGAZINE, DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS:"We have represented many renowned Artists here at the Art Focus, whos' work is both unique and Inspirational in essence throughout the various counties that we have covered over the years, but never has there been an artist that has been recognised at this level in such quick succession in the history of the brand""Artists from both the local and international stage have been represented, as well as artists who have been featured on the Sky Arts Channels' " Textile Artist Of The Year" Series and more but we can honestly say that the body of work produced by Daphne O' Connell is uniqueness personified.""Admittedly, Daphne was up against some very stiff competition in this category, but the way in which Daphne presents her pieces, the range of subject matter she conveys and the level of intricacy linked with the contemporary flair within her body of work you would think that they were done by three different professional artists!!""This truly shows that there is very little surprise that Daphne has been recognised at this level. A very well-deserved accolade for an extremely talented artist and certainly a name to watch out for in 26/27 and many more years to come!! Bravo!!!!"

Awards and Recognition

Award of Excellence For Vibrant And Unique Stitch Artist Of The Year 26/27- Art Focus MagazineFinalist, National Embroidery Awards 2026Honourable Mention - 12th PORTRAIT International Juried Art Competition, TeraVarna

Commissions

I am happy to discuss any commissions you may wish me to undertake. Whether it's your favourite pet or a portrait of someone you know. Please get in touch.

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