In this episode, Ruth talks to textile artist and researcher, Lucie Bea Dutton. For the last few years, Lucie has been exploring Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy though a large-scale sewing project inspired by Mantel’s work. Lucie trained as a historian and she works extensively with archival materials. In this episode, Ruth talks to Lucie about this project, as well as finding your place as an artist when it isn’t your first career, the importance of a studio, how shifts in life influence how you want to work, creative process and how you don’t need to be economically productive to be an artist.
Ruth has been working with Lucie as a mentor since 2020. Lucie says “her support has enhanced the ambition of my work, encouraged me to take it seriously, and to remain true to my creative values”. Lucie is also a member of Ruth’s Maker Membership community. She also featured in Episode 17 of Making Meaning Podcast
I am a textile artist and I work entirely by hand. Much of my work is inspired by the writing of Hilary Mantel, specifically her Thomas Cromwell Trilogy (2009-2020). I trained as a historian, and my experience of archival research and analysing primary source materials now form an important element of my practice.
Lucie Bea Dutton
Download the full transcript here
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Download the full transcript here
See Lucie’s work
Find out more about Lucie’s work at her website Stitching Cromwell
Follow Lucie on Instagram and Threads
Maker Membership
If you are looking for a creative community with ongoing support and resources to challenge your thinking and take your creative practice further, have a look at my Maker Membership. It’s a monthly rolling membership that you can join any time. I create workbooks, blog posts and videos about all kinds of things including research, creative development and reflection. There’s also a lively community who share their work and their thoughts via the members chat and we meet monthly on Zoom for a group mentoring session which is always really inspiring and encouraging. It’s £25 per month to join with no minimum term. Find out more here.
Ruth Singer 
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