Sophie Standing

Sophie Standing has developed a unique style to create animal portraits. This stems from a broad knowledge of many techniques as she studied wood, metal, ceramics and textiles at Liverpool Hope University. It wasn’t until she graduated that she started experimenting with textile art as her main medium. Her sewing is self-taught and she has gradually gained confidence in her designs. As a grey elephant transforms in a kaleidoscope of colour, she admits; ‘I have become far more expressive with my use of fabrics, using very bold flowers next to stripes and clashing abstract patterns.’

Sophie grew up in Hampshire and for many years worked in England. In 2003 she moved to South Africa, followed by Kenya, but she and her family are now back in UK. With a move to Africa, the inspiration to create wildlife animal portraiture started, and along with her passion for textiles, Sophie was able to produce a gallery of animals and landscapes.

Her style of work is predominantly created with a sewing machine using the free motion and darning foot. Sophie starts her pieces by sketching or painting the image onto fabric to create boundaries in order for the animal or landscape to look realistic when pattern and colour is added on top.

Layering is key in Sophie’s work and it is not until you take a closer look at the designs that you see the complex mixture of fabric, machine embroidery and paint she has applied.