Ahead of short course tutor Sophie Bowen's Pigment Week course in February, Slow marks – natural dyes, drawing and stitch, we caught up with her about her creative journey, finding beauty in the imperfect, and using creativity as a way to find presence and as a catalyst for discovery.

Can you give a brief summary of what students can expect on your course?

This course is about working with nature, embracing slowness and taking a mindful approach to making. We will create natural dyes for both textile fibres and ink making to use for drawing and hand embroidery. Working on both cloth and paper, we will explore rhythm and repetition as a way of translating drawing and mark making with stitch.

Can you share a bit about your creative journey and how you got started with drawing and natural dyes?

I studied BA Drawing at Falmouth University where we’d frequently explore the outdoors and draw. I became inspired by place and observing natural rhythms in the landscape around me, influencing how the visual language of my work took shape. I started to consider the needle and thread as a drawing tool whilst researching relationships between drawing and walking and how an act of movement can facilitate a meditative state of mind. This opened me up to the world of textiles where I went on to study a textiles masters and from here, I became curious about natural dyes.

What draws you to natural dyes?

Natural dyes are a constant source of knowledge and discovery to me. As a craft practice, its process is slow and grounding and I love the subtleties and unpredictabilities of the outcomes. It also deepens my appreciation and connection with place, adding another layer of meaning to my making.

What inspires your work?

I am very drawn to the seasons and watching how things shift, emerge or fade. I enjoy reflecting on the Japanese Wabi Sabi philosophy which is all about finding beauty in the imperfect and appreciating transience. I think this has quite a significant influence on how I seek to create a sense of movement in my work visually such as in the the direction of repeated stitches or brush marks and I love noticing the little irregularities that become known as a result.

Why do you think it is important to engage with creativity?

I think it’s a great thing to allow yourself. It gives you space to reflect and process thoughts, feelings and experiences. For me and for so many others I’m sure, it is as much a way of finding presence as it is a catalyst for discovery.

Can you share a memorable experience or moment in your career?

I am still quite early on in my career as an artist, but a special time for me was two years spent on a studio residency at New Brewery Arts which was funded through a bursary from The Radcliffe Trust. It was an opportunity to bridge the gap between being a student on my masters and being a practising artist which really gave me confidence to believe in my practice and where I began sharing my creative process through delivering workshops.

What future projects are you excited about in your own practice?

I’ve recently moved to Hampshire near the West Dean area from Bristol so I’m excited to make a body of work that responds to a new place where I am in a more naturalistic setting. I have lots of new ideas including exploring working with stitch on different natural surfaces such as wood or making my own paper that integrates natural dyes and collected flora and fauna.