Textile Talk with Holly Jackson: How Holly Jackson Became a Textile Artist Without an Art Background

What does it take to turn a creative hobby into a confident, professional textile art practice? In this episode of Textile Talk, we’re joined by Holly Jackson, a mixed media textile artist based in the United States. Working from a small island in the Chesapeake Bay, Holly creates richly layered embroidered pieces that combine traditional stumpwork techniques with contemporary storytelling. In this conversation, Holly shares how she went from picking up a needle for the first time in her 30s to exhibiting her work and developing a distinctive artistic voice — all while studying remotely with the School of Stitched Textiles. Whether you're an aspiring textile artist, embroiderer, or creative looking to build confidence in your work, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical advice. ✨ In this episode, we explore: How Holly Jackson became a textile artist (without an art background) Mixed media embroidery and stumpwork techniques Studying textiles from the USA with City & Guilds accreditation How to develop your own creative style and artistic voice Turning embroidery from a hobby into a professional practice Selling and exhibiting textile art in the United States The importance of process, documentation, and storytelling in art 🎓 Study Textile Art Online (Worldwide) The School of Stitched Textiles offers flexible, accredited courses you can study from anywhere in the world, including the USA. 👉 Explore courses here: https://www.sofst.org/courses/ 📱 Follow & Connect 🌐 Website: https://www.sofst.org 📸 Instagram:   / sofstitchedtextiles   👍 Subscribe for more textile art inspiration & interviews #cityandguilds #fiberart #textileart