In this episode, we sit down with textile artist and educator Sophie Standing, whose vibrant work combines thread painting and applique to create stunning depictions of wildlife. Sophie shares her journey from working with ceramics to discovering her love for textiles and free-motion embroidery. Her career has taken her across the globe, from Cape Town to Kenya and beyond, as she’s developed a unique and highly personal style of fabric art. This episode is packed with invaluable insights into the creative process, the power of experimentation, and the importance of embracing imperfection in your art.
Through storytelling and practical advice, Sophie delves into the delicate balance between following a creative vision and allowing spontaneity to guide your work. Along the way, we explore her experiences working on commissions, teaching internationally, and building an online learning community for textile enthusiasts.
Textile Talk with Sophie Standing
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Sophie Standing’s Creative Process
One of the key themes Sophie emphasises is the importance of experimentation. She discusses how critical it is to make time for trial and error, allowing your ideas to evolve naturally rather than aiming for perfection on the first try. “I love it when a student realises they’ve chosen the wrong colour and decides to change it. That’s what it’s about—experimenting and learning,” Sophie explains.
She likens free-motion stitching to handwriting, highlighting how every artist develops a distinct style through the movement of their hands. From angular stitches to soft, rounded ones, no two pieces will ever be identical. Sophie encourages listeners to embrace these differences and treat their projects like samples—a way to explore possibilities rather than rushing to create a finished piece.
Lessons from Teaching and Building a Creative Community
Sophie has a passion for teaching, which shines through in her stories about working with students both in-person and online. Teaching has taken her around the world—from Australia to Scotland—and helped her connect with a diverse community of artists. She reflects on how students often want to get things right on their first attempt, but she challenges them to slow down, make mistakes, and enjoy the process.
Her online workshops, hosted via private Facebook groups, have become thriving creative hubs. These spaces allow participants to share their work, ask questions, and learn from one another. Sophie describes how the interactive nature of the workshops, combined with live Q&A sessions, has helped foster a sense of connection and collaboration among artists from around the world.
Working on Commission: The Art of Balance
Sophie shares her experience of creating commissioned work, which has been a significant part of her career from the very beginning. While commissions come with specific expectations, Sophie sees them as exciting creative challenges. She talks about working with clients who are deeply passionate about wildlife and how their personal stories help shape the pieces she creates.
There’s a careful balance between sticking to the client’s vision and infusing her own creativity into the project. Sophie recounts a memorable commission for a piece featuring an elephant kicking up dust—an ambitious project that required her to push her artistic boundaries and experiment with new techniques.
Future Projects and Online Workshops
Looking ahead, Sophie is focused on expanding her online workshops. She plans to offer shorter, specialized courses on subjects like drawing, fabric selection, and stitching techniques for eyes and textures. These bite-sized workshops will give participants the opportunity to build specific skills at their own pace.
She also dreams of writing a book, blending her artistic journey with her love for storytelling and life in Africa. Whether it’s a detailed how-to guide or a coffee table book filled with beautiful imagery and personal stories, Sophie’s future projects are sure to inspire artists and nature lovers alike.
For those interested in learning from Sophie or exploring her work, be sure to check out her website, where you can find information about her current workshops, limited-edition prints, and original textile art.
Follow Sophie Standing
Website: http://www.sophiestanding.art/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiestandingart/
Listen to the episode on your favourite podcast platform or click the link below to listen now.
