Weaving Light and Landscape: Alison Holt’s Journey Through Textile Art

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AART

Chris Stafford

115 episodes

1 week ago

Veteran award-winning podcaster Chris Stafford talks to women artists from across mediums and around the world to get to know the person behind their art. Conversations are intimate and free flowing as we learn about the journey these talented women have taken to become successful artists.

Testimonials:

"It’s rare that I let everything hang out there about my past and what has formed me into an artist. I had a wonderful conversation with Chris Stafford recently and found myself doing just that—filling in the background. Chris was so easy to talk to and has a wonderful way of organically mining the truth of self within us that forms a sensitive picture of whomever she is conversing with—as we used to say, the gift of the gab. You should check out her podcast archive and listen to lots of incredible interviews that promote women in the arts."
Anna Carll

"Chris is a natural host and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her. She’s authentic, personable, and has a clear passion for supporting women. Her conversations with female artists about their artistic journeys are in depth and thoughtful. She’s getting into territory others often ignore and uncovering some gems in the process.”
Julie Davis

“Thank you to host Chris Stafford for making me feel relaxed and bringing out all of my thoughts and feelings about life/art! After our interview I felt euphoric and accomplished and so appreciative for that. She is a wonderful interviewer.”
Michele Byrne

“Chris is a highly skilled interviewer who puts her guests at ease. She draws out the juicy bits of lived experience and contextualizes this against the grander arc of history.”
Kathryn Andrews

“I was honored to be interviewed by Chris. She has a unique perspective in the art world, and it's refreshing to see a podcast with such a wide variety of artists from all different backgrounds and disciplines.”
Erin Spencer

“Art making can be a solitary pursuit, the AART podcast gives a window into the life and vocation of the artist that informs and inspires while it entertains.”
Suzie Baker

“ The interview was a very enjoyable experience. Chris is a generous interviewer who draws out her subjects and is completely engaged in the conversation. She's a good listener and asks thoughtful questions.”
Ingrid Christensen

“AART is an important and unique platform for the stories of women artists and their work. From the art making processes to the personal materials that makes the creative process. The podcast’s greatest asset is Chris’ ability to getting the artists to “open up’, by her preparation process, and the questions she asks.”
Maria Martinez-Cañas

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Visual Arts

Arts,

Performing Arts

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Weaving Light and Landscape: Alison Holt’s Journey Through Textile Art

AART

53 minutes

6 months ago

Weaving Light and Landscape: Alison Holt’s Journey Through Textile Art

Step into the vibrant, textured world of Alison Holt, one of Britain’s most celebrated textile artists, whose breathtaking embroidered landscapes blur the line between painting and stitchwork. In this deeply introspective interview, Alison opens up about her creative process, her lifelong connection to nature and color, and how she transforms threads into emotion and movement. We explore her artistic journey, from early inspirations and challenges to the meditative rhythm of stitching that defines her signature style. Listeners will discover how Alison uses free-motion embroidery to capture the essence of light, water, and landscape, and why textile art continues to inspire a new generation of artists around the world. Whether you’re a creative soul, art student, designer, or admirer of fine craft, this episode invites you to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the beauty woven into every detail of the world around us.

✨ Keywords: Alison Holt, textile art, embroidery, fiber art, British artist, creative process, art podcast, artist interview, contemporary craft, nature inspiration, free motion embroidery, creativity, handmade art, sustainable art, slow making, artistic journey.

English textile artist Alison Holt uses her imagination to capture landscapes and nature and then weave them into colorful canvases that are often taken for paintings. Alison says: 'Each piece is a combination of silk painting and freehand machine stitching. The painting creates depth, perspective and richness to the work and combines effectively with stitch to give detail and texture.’ Her work can be found in private collections around the world and in galleries from London to Sydney. Alison was born in Oswestry, Shropshire in 1956, the youngest of two girls, to Cyril and Brenda Holt who were garage proprietors. Her father died of a brain tumor when she was just 13 and her mother was left to raise her daughters. Her parents always supported her artistic interests and by the time Alison graduated from Oswestry Girls High School she had only one ambition which was to get into art college. From Shrewsbury Art School she was accepted into the prestigious Goldsmith College in London from where she graduated with a BA Hons in Fine Art Textiles, specializing in Embroidery. By now her talent had already been recognized and she was immediately offered an exhibition and given commissions. She returned to Shropshire and began what was to become a parallel vocation in teaching at Wexham Art College. Alison married in 1993 and worked part time in her studio while raising her two boys Tom and Jonathan. For 40 years now Alison has built her business as a textile artist, which includes writing books about her practice and teaching courses at her home studio throughout the year. Alison lives in Oswestry with her husband John Moses and their dog Bobby.

Alison’s links:
https://www.alisonholt.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/alisonlholt/

Some of Alison’s favorite female artists.
Melissa Scott Miller - Artist - painter
Jan Beaney - Textile Artist
Chiharu Shiota - Installation Artist

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

AART