Lorna Hall – How Textiles Became My Creative Escape

My name is Lorna and I am just about to begin the last unit of a textiles BA Hons) degree.

As a child, I always found comfort in repeated surface patterns, and since I can remember, I have enjoyed experimenting with cloth as well as drawing. I went to art college when I was young but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go to university. Years later I studied jewellery design and fashion design but juggling motherhood and my interests became a bit of a struggle so I paused my creative practice to focus on family life.

I then got to a point in my life where I missed my creative side and decided to look into a textiles course. I came across OCA and realised I could do an online degree. I remember applying and wondering if I was clever enough to do a whole degree. I am dyslexic, I have ADHD, Fibromyalgia and to add to all of these additional needs English is my second language, so you can understand why I would have felt a little bit hesitant in my ability to do a degree. I decided to go for it and give it my all!

If I am honest at the beginning my main motivation was to show some members of my family how good I was, but as I progressed in my degree my confidence grew and that feeling faded. I quickly learnt that I was doing it for me. This was my journey! Learning became my space to escape, almost like another dimension where I could grow and expand and where anything was possible. I began to gather and ‘adopt’ different people like peers and tutors and created a new support system. I soon learnt that my innate use of colour was my superpower and part of my voice as well as exploring shape.

In a world where grey appears to have become the most used colour, my designs break the conventional rules of minimalism design, offering a playful and innovative use of colour. My handmade work uses traditional techniques and explores the interaction of shape, colour and pattern. I enjoy blending traditional craftsmanship with interesting materials, to create surface prints that give a vibrant and happy feeling of joy, whether worn on a fashion garment or used to decorate a home with wallpaper, soft furnishings, or prints. My pieces are statement, well-crafted works of art that add a contemporary feeling to any fashion garment or home.

The advice I would give anybody who is thinking of studying with OCA is to keep an open mind. Allow yourself to be flexible and don’t try to fight your tutor’s advice. Be prepared to take constructive criticism as in the end it is this advice that will help you find your voice. Be prepared to fail and remember it is in these moments where you will reflect and grow. I have had many moments where I thought I would quit and many times I thought I couldn’t do an assignment and when I conquered these moments I found myself on a different level.

I remember I reached rock bottom when my dad was dying from cancer and found support not only in my studies but in my tutor as well as with student support, amazingly I managed to get a first and I will always remember that time as one of my biggest personal achievements. Doing this degree has given me more confidence as well as more knowledge. This year I have opened my own Redbubble shop where I have sold a lot of my work. I have also had two exhibitions which I never thought I would have and I have so many more plans for my future. I have managed to do all of this while working full-time as well as being a carer for my father-in-law with dementia.

One more piece of advice I can give is do not to expect this journey to be a fast one, but do enjoy it!

If you enjoy it you will know you are on the right path and the result will be a good one.

Hear more about studying with OCA through our Open Days resources here!