Throughout March we are celebrating Women in the Arts with a connection to the Isle of Man. The aim of this series is to highlight the challenges that women face in the creative industry, share some advice to younger creatives and also to celebrate these women in their achievements.
Helen Winter Textile Art
What is your professional background in the arts/Artists bio?
I’ve always had a passion for art and craft with me learning to knit when I was 5 years old and art being my favourite subject at school. I gained Art A level and then a foundation course at The Wirral Metropolitan College, I then attended a Knitwear Design degree course at Trent Polytechnic, transferring to a Textile Technology course, where I gained a BTEC Textile Technology qualification; I have also taught A level Art and Interior Design at UCM in the Isle of Man.
What inspired you to pursue a career as artist?
Having been made redundant, from a corporate company, at the end of 2019, I was able to pursue my fascination and passion to create unique textile art leading to me founding my business Helen Winter Textile Art. Another avenue for my art is in providing fun, creative and inspiring workshops and I get great joy from teaching, coaxing and encouraging participants to connect with their creativity. Apart from teaching them new skills, I also focus on their well-being and the benefits derived from having a bit of peace and a restful mind during the crafting sessions. The responses and results I get are amazing. Participants usually leave the workshop feeling excited and inspired, often fizzing with ideas on how they can progress further with their craft and feeling the value of a time spent being creative in a nurturing and mutually beneficial environment.
What progress have you seen for women in your field?
A vast improvement and thankfully women in textiles are becoming far more visible, valued and respected. I love seeing the progress and get so inspired and excited at what’s possible to create with humble textile materials
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you creatively.
With my primary passion being for knitwear design, the textile artist, Alice Starmore has had a huge influence on my work. She grew up and works in the Outer Hebrides where the environment and nature influence her knitwear pieces, which resonates with my ethos and values. In her latest book showing her Glamourie collection, she has explored how structure, form and drama can be created in hand knitted garments which has inspired me to pursue my own fascinating and love of our island’s beautiful flora and fauna.
What do you think is the biggest issue in the creative industries facing women of your age?
For me, it’s getting to grips with social media and marketing!
How important is it for women to lift each other up and can you share an example of that happening to you?
To me this is vital, in general, the people who have been the most supportive of my career have been women. My workshops are mainly attended by women and the atmosphere, in them, is always amazing with everyone so supportive, sharing experiences, encouraging and inspiring each other.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day (8th March), what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about a career in the arts?
Does your art sing to you, does it come for your soul, if it does then others will see and feel that too? Have confidence in your work and its values and vision; it has a place and position in this world which will inspire others, keep going.
What have you been working on/what would you like to promote?
Compiling my creative workshop schedule to the end of the year and designing 3 new craft kits, I’m also planning to take my workshops online.
I’m also exploring and developing more 3D structural nature inspired wet felted pieces and 3D needle felted sculptures.
Where can we stay up to date?
Facebook: @helenwintertextileart
Instagram: helenwintertextileart
Website: www.helenwintertextileart.co.uk
Email:helenwintertextileart@gmail.com
