I am a textile artist based in East Lothian, Scotland, a county of farmland, woodlands, moors and coastal landscapes.

I have long been interested in the natural environment, rural landscapes and plant life. As a keen gardener, I enjoy building up layers of plant combinations in the garden. In my textile artworks, I blend layers of colour and texture in a similar way, drawing inspiration from the colours, patterns and textures found in nature.

Creating art using fabric and thread adds a tactile quality to my work. I use this to draw attention to the textural elements and atmosphere of the landscape. I create texture and depth using layers of materials and stitching. In contrast, in my works on paper, I use the subtle stitching to add an unexpected raised detail to the flat paper. 

Hand stitch is a slow and considered process, which creates space to think about the impacts of nature on our mental health, and the effects of humanity on the environment.

Being in nature generates a feeling of calmness, but biodiversity is dwindling and the land is suffering from erosion or nutrient depletion. I aim to bring attention to this and the pursuit of a more responsible attitude towards the natural environment. 

I hold a degree in Botany with Microbiology and a PhD in Plant Science, which led to work in technical writing and editing.

Since 2018, I have blended my passions for writing and textile art through my work as a technical editor, writer and curator for TextileArtist, where I edit and write website articles and work on the Stitch Club workshop production team. I’m a member of the Society for Embroidered Work (SEW). Both TextileArtist and SEW promote contemporary textile art and its perception as a fine art form.

Instagram @heidiingramtextileart

Exhibitions

• A selection of works were exhibited in the exhibition Perceiving Nature at Norman Rea Gallery, University of York, 2024.
• Undersea was selected for the juried exhibition Surface and Depth by the Society for Embroidered Work, Palazzo Velli Expo, Rome, 2021
• Two artworks selected for the juried exhibition Contemporary Stitched Art by the Society for Embroidered Work, Clerkenwell Gallery, London, 2019
• Two artworks were 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