Drawn and Sewn
1000 drawings
A drawing a day for five years
01
Textile Art
Ruth Peel’s textile work spans over four decades, often centred on large-scale quilts. Her pieces explore personal and domestic themes through colour, texture, and layering. Alongside hand-dyeing and the use of repurposed fabric, she incorporates photography, printing, and machine stitching — drawing on both traditional and experimental methods. Each piece is individually made, shaped by time, material, and process.
02
Daily Self-Portraits
Ruth began the daily self-portrait series during the COVID lockdown, as a way to manage isolation and maintain a creative routine. At the time, she had little experience with portrait drawing and was often unhappy with the early results. But she continued, drawing each day, and gradually improved through practice and a few short courses. Over time, the work has expanded from simple line drawings into chalk, colour, acrylics and oils. The video shows over 1,000 of these portraits — part of a series that now includes nearly 1,500 — …and shows a steady improvement in technique alongside the emergence of a distinct personal style.
03
Exhibitions
Ruth has exhibited her work in a variety of settings, including the Royal West of England Academy, The National Quilt show at the NEC, Romsey Abbey, Harbour Lights and Solent University.
02
Workshops
She has delivered talks to larger audiences on her work and creative process, and also run popular day-long workshops for small groups. These practical sessions, focused on textiles and painting, offer a chance to explore materials and methods drawn from her years of experience.
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