Josie Russell, the sole survivor of the 1996 Chillenden murders in Kent, has credited her love of Wales for her success as a textile artist. Now 36, she creates patchwork and other textile art inspired by Welsh landscapes and locations, drawing heavily on the mountains of Snowdonia.
Russell's mother, Lin Russell, 45, and sister Megan, six, were killed in July 1996 while walking home from school in Chillenden. Josie, then nine, survived the attack. The family had moved from Wales to Kent only months before the tragedy.
Since returning to her childhood home in Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd, Russell has built a thriving career as an artist. She holds a degree in graphics from Parc Menai in Bangor and now has over 18,000 followers on Facebook. She says the demand for her work has grown so much that she cannot hold exhibitions due to the volume of commissions.
Russell's art is environmentally conscious; she reuses materials, often buying clothes from charity shops or using her own unworn garments. She also receives donations from patchwork groups. Her father, Shaun Russell, lives nearby and assists during fair season, while her partner Iwan offers support and ideas.
Regarding the recent review of Michael Stone's convictions for the murders, Russell said she was aware of the developments but declined to elaborate. She also noted that she had not watched the Sky documentary series The Russell Murders: Who Killed Lin & Megan?, despite being contacted by the production company.
Russell plans to travel across Wales next year, camping and mountaineering in north, mid, and south Wales, and hopes to hold exhibitions of her work. 'Wales has given me so many ideas,' she said.
