Ellie Hipkin MSDC

Stitched & Constructed Textiles

About Ellie
Based in Brighton, textile artist Ellie Hipkin creates mixed-media artworks inspired by the changing moods of weather, trees and the Sussex landscape. Drawing on photographs and observations gathered during walks in the countryside, her work captures the quiet beauty of the natural world through the shifting seasons. Her textile artworks explores the relationship between sky, light and trees. Combining abstract painted fabrics, digital print, collage, appliqué, and both machine and hand embroidery, she creates richly layered surfaces that evoke atmosphere, movement and depth.
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Biography Back to top

Ellie Hipkin is a Brighton-based textile artist whose mixed-media artworks are inspired by the shifting moods of weather, trees and the Sussex landscape. Working from her garden studio, surrounded by the South Downs and nearby coastline, she draws inspiration from walks in nature, where changing light, wild plants and the intricate forms of trees become the starting point for her work.

Her latest artworks explore the quiet poetry of skies and trees, inviting viewers to pause and notice the beauty found above us. Beginning with abstract painted fabrics that reflect the changing atmosphere, Ellie layers these with digital prints created from her own photography, alongside collage and appliqué. She then draws into the compositions using free-motion embroidery and delicate hand stitching, creating richly textured surfaces that evoke movement, depth and a strong sense of place. Her distinctive approach combines painting, print and stitch to capture the fleeting beauty of the changing seasons.

Originally trained as a fashion designer, Ellie brings over a decade of experience working with textiles to her artistic practice, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary mixed-media techniques.

Alongside her studio practice, Ellie is passionate about sharing the creative possibilities of textiles. In 2021, she founded the Flourish Textile Art Hub, an online learning community offering self-paced workshops in textile and mixed-media techniques. The platform has since grown to include a carefully selected programme of guest tutors, creating an inspiring and supportive space for artists and makers worldwide. Ellie also teaches in-person workshops and exhibits her work nationally.

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Professional Summary

A passionate textile artist and educator with extensive experience in design, teaching and curation. With roots in the fashion industry and a flourishing career in textile art, Ellie creates nature-inspired artworks, sharing skills through workshops and her online platform, Flourish Textile Art Hub.

Professional Experience

  • Teaching & Online Initiatives
  • Flourish Textile Art Hub – Founder and Educator

2021–Present:

  • Established an online platform offering textile art courses and membership programs.
  • Taught a variety of textile techniques while inviting guest tutors to share their expertise.
  • Made and Making – Delivered in-person workshops focusing on innovative textile techniques

Articles

2025

  • Handwerken Zonder Grenzen, Netherlands - September
  • Sussex Life ‘Naturally Inspired’– May
  • Landscape magazine ‘threading Nature’s Flow into Canvas’ – April


Fashion Industry Garment and Fabric Designer

1999–2010:

  • Designed garments and fabrics for leading UK high-street retailers.
  • Specialized in soft separates, with print and embroidery, ensuring detailed and market-relevant collections.

Education

  • Nottingham Trent University BA (Hons) Fashion Design (2:1)
  • Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Memberships

  • Founder of Flourish Textile Art Hub
  • Society of Designer Craftsmen


Exhibitions:

  • 2nd July – 30th September 2026 – Sussex Contemporary, ‘Inspired by Standen: The Future of Arts and Crafts’ Exhibition, National Trust Standen House, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, East Sussex, RH19 4NE
  • 11th – 13th September – The Maker’s Fair, National Trust Standen House, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, East Sussex, RH19 4NE
  • 4th-15th November 2026 – ‘Uncommon Ground’ exhibition Society Of Designer Craftsmen, at Oxo Gallery, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, London SE1 9PH
  • 14th November – 6th March 2027 – Winter Exhibition, New Ashgate Gallery, Waggon Yard, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PS

Past Exhibitions

  • 2026 The Maker’s Fair, Middle Farm, Firle, Lewes 2026

  • 2026 Brighton’s Artist open houses – Open studio every weekend in May.

  • 2026 Bath Art Fair Bath Pavilion, Bath.
  • 2025 The Society of Designer Craftsmen – ‘Designer Craft – Tales in the Making’ at Oxmarket Contemporary, Chichester
  • 2025 The Maker’s Fair – National Trust – Standen House and Gardens
  • 2025 Brighton’s Artist Open Houses – Opened house and studio with a curated exhibition
  • 2024 Woven, Fox Yard Studios, Suffolk
  • 2024 Moral Fibre Exhibition, The House of Smalls, Edinburgh
  • 2024 Brighton’s Artist Open Houses – Curated a nature-inspired exhibition with 11 guest artists
  • 2024 Contemporary Textile Fair, Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington
  • 2023 The Art of Biodiversity, Art Wave, Star Brewery Gallery, Lewes
  • 2023 Wide Blue Space, Art Wave – Celebrating Cuckmere Haven
  • 2023 Stitch by Stitch Exhibition, Willow Gallery, Oswestry
  • 2023 Brighton’s Artist Open Houses – Opened house and studio with a curated exhibition
  • 2022 Contemporary Textiles Fair, Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington
  • 2022 Art of Embroidery, Broderers Exhibition, Bankside Gallery, London
  • 2022 Brighton Artist Open Houses – Opened house with guest artists
  • 2021 Contemporary Arts Fair, Windsor
  • 2021 Sussex Art Fair, Goodwood
  • 2021 Brighton Artist Open Houses – Opened house with guest artists
  • 2020 Country Living Artisan Exhibitions
  • 2020 – Contemporary Arts Fair, Surrey
  • 2019 – Contemporary Textiles Fair, Teddington
  • 2019 – Craft in Focus – RHS Wisley
  • 2019 – Brighton Artist Open Houses, Brighton
  • 2019 – Landmark Art Fair, Teddington
  • 2019 – Contemporary Arts Fair, Windsor
  • 2019 – Craft in Focus, West Horsley Place
  • 2018 – Hendall Arts Exhibition, Group Exhibition
  • 2018 – Handmade at Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,
  • 2018 – Hand Crafted Arts Fair, High Hurstwood Hall, Group Exhibition
  • 2018- Contemporary Textiles Fair, Teddington
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