Ellie Hipkin MSDC

Stitched & Constructed Textiles

About Ellie
Ellie is a textile mixed media artist, drawing inspiration from nature and botanicals she finds when out walking. Her textile paintings feature one-off imprints taken from seed heads and grasses, drawing into her artworks with free-motion embroidery, appliqué and hand stitch, utilising the techniques she learnt working as a fashion designer for over a decade. These varied yet balanced elements mean there is something new to notice, each time you look!
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Biography Back to top

Ellie is a textile artist working from her garden studio in Brighton. Surrounded by the South Downs, Sussex coastline and wild plants discovered on walks, she draws inspiration from colours, contours and the ever-changing atmosphere of the natural world. Ellie's artworks reflect this connection, blending abstract painting with delicate textile techniques to create pieces that evoke a sense of place and season.

Ellie's paintings often feature unique imprints taken from seed heads and grasses, preserving their organic forms in fabric. Drawing into these compositions with free-motion embroidery, appliqué, and hand stitching, utilizing techniques she honed during a decade as a fashion designer.

At the heart of her practice is a passion for creating and teaching. Through the Flourish Textile Art Hub, an online platform she founded in 2021, Ellie shares a wide variety of textile techniques, inspiring creativity. Recently she has introduced guest tutors, expanding the Art Hubs offerings and fostered a vibrant, supportive community. Alongside this, she continues to deliver in-person workshops and exhibit 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)

Memberships

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

Exhibitions

  • 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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