From superstition and stigma to celebration and skill Left-handedness has long carried cultural weight—far beyond which hand holds the pen. For centuries, it’s been viewed with suspicion, framed as a weakness, or romanticised as a mark of creativity and talent. Clean vs. Unclean in Ancient Cultures In many ancient societies, hands were not equal. In… Read More the cultural history of left-handedness
Pack a notebook—left hand or right, it’s all the same—and set out for a hillside, or even a breezy stretch of beach. Let the wind make the first marks: the shiver of grass, the metallic clink of a gate, the faint hum of a distant train. You’re not here to get it “right”—only to let… Read More Ideas: how to sketch your own soundwalks
There’s a kind of silence in Debbie Lyddon’s work that speaks louder than words. Her stitched cloth, sculptural forms, and elemental textures feel like they’ve been shaped by wind, salt, and time. I first encountered her pieces while navigating my own creative fatigue—caught between decorating dust and the longing to return to making. Her work… Read More listening to cloth: a reflection on debbie lyddon’s work
Natural dyeing with plants and kitchen scraps offers a sustainable method to colour textiles, producing unique earthy hues. Combining dyeing with stencils or block printing enhances creativity and personalisation while embracing sustainable practices. This approach discourages harsh chemicals, making it ideal for customisable textile art and mindful creative expression.… Read More Recipes For Natural Dyeing & Fabric Printing
Textiles are more than just practical objects—they are sensory, symbolic, and deeply personal. Across cultures and centuries, cloth has served not only to clothe the body but also to comfort the soul. From the stitched stories of traditional quilts to medicinal fabric treatments used in ancient practices, textiles have long been tools of healing and… Read More threaded with meaning: how textiles have been used for memory and healing through history
The Romantic period is often dominated by famous male poets, but many remarkable female writers were equally active during the Industrial Revolution, offering their powerful reflections on nature, emotion, social injustice, and the changing world around them. Poets like Charlotte Smith, Mary Robinson, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, and Felicia Hemans wrote with a unique voice, often… Read More forgotten voices: female romantic poets of the industrial revolution
Michelangelo, Pieta, c. 1498-1500, marble The Pietà is one of the most poignant and enduring subjects in Christian art. Depicting the Virgin Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus after the Crucifixion, this image has moved generations of artists to capture its sorrow and grace. More than a religious icon, the Pietà speaks to universal… Read More the Pietà in art: images of grief and compassion
(Disclaimer below) Growing up in a country where Catholicism is deeply embedded in both public life and private rituals, it’s almost impossible not to be shaped—visually, emotionally, and culturally—by its symbolism. From childhood baptisms to funeral masses, the Catholic imagination permeates everyday life in ways both subtle and profound. For many artists, including myself and… Read More the power and weight of catholic symbolism
One of the things I’ve always loved is seeing glimpses into artists’ studios—the places where ideas take shape, transform, and slowly become the finished pieces we admire. There’s something uniquely fascinating about witnessing a work in progress, with all its raw edges and unfinished details. It reminds me that every artwork is a journey, not… Read More the art of geraldine javier: stitching memory, loss, and the unseen
Artist: George Frederic WattsDate: Circa 1848–1850Medium: Oil on canvasLocation: Tate Britain, LondonDimensions: 864 × 508 mm About the Painting Found Drowned portrays the lifeless body of a young woman washed up under a bridge in the River Thames. The setting is dark and desolate. The figure lies draped in wet, clinging fabric. A faint city… Read More found drowned (1848-1850) – george frederic watts
Rachel Bakewell 