I draw inspiration from the colours, patterns and textures found in nature. My work is slow and has a meditative aspect, but I enjoy the tactile nature of the process.
Based in East Lothian, Scotland, I’m surrounded by a mixture of farmland, moorlands and coastal landscapes. I aim to absorb the details of these tranquil places into my artwork.
My textile artworks are heavily stitched with cotton, wool and linen threads, using an intuitive and spontaneous slow stitch process. I embrace the unpredictable results of painting on fabric, adding collage and embroidery to create texture and layers. My works on paper are mixed media, using embroidery, paint, pen and ink – the stitching adds an unexpected raised detail to the flat paper.
I have long been interested in the natural environment, rural landscapes and plant life. As a keen gardener, I love building up layers of plant combinations in the garden – I blend layers of colour and texture in my artwork in a similar way.
I hold a degree in Botany with Microbiology and a PhD in Plant Science, which led to work in technical writing. Since 2018, I’ve had the good fortune and opportunity to blend my passions for writing and textile art. Alongside my creative practice, I work as a technical editor, writer and content curator for TextileArtist.org, writing articles and editing the workshop materials for their Stitch Club. I’m also a member of the Society for Embroidered Work. Both of these organisations promote contemporary textile art and its consideration as a fine art form.
To see my recent work, have a look on Instagram @heidiingramtextileart.
Exhibitions
- Undersea artwork selected for the Surface and Depth juried exhibition by the Society for Embroidered Work, Palazzo Velli Expo, Rome (2021)
- Two artworks selected for the Contemporary Stitched Art juried exhibition by the Society for Embroidered Work, Clerkenwell Gallery, London (2019)
- Two artworks selected as finalist entries for the National Needlecraft Awards (‘Best Original Embroidery Design’ and ‘Best Miniature’ categories) and exhibited at the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show, Kensington Olympia, London (2019)
- A selection of works were exhibited at the 3 Harbours Arts Festival @ Haddstock (2018)
- A selection of works were exhibited at the St Abb’s Annual Art exhibition (2018)
