Featured Maker // El Riordan
El Riordan
Textile Artist
El Riordan creates a dynamic range of colourful textiles and print designs for the adventurous. She started creating work at University and has carried on from there, creating her own business making colourful prints and textiles for the home.
After graduating, El was fortunate enough to be able to return to the University to become a creative in residence. This time was extremely useful as it allowed her to start her business and gain access to the print facilities to create products. To support herself financially during this time, she worked in a fabric shop in Dewsbury, allowing her to learn so much about different fabrics and their uses, alongside meeting an amazing sewing community. El then worked part time as a Senior Print Manager and Textile Designer at a fashion company, subsequently learning lots about the industry and commercial printing directly onto garments.
Alongside this, El was still running her business and trying to create new products and designs in her spare time. El attended a variety of art markets and craft shows to exhibit and sell her work to the public, whilst setting up an online shop and website. Physical markets are something she has missed throughout the multiple lockdowns. She loves the interaction with other makers, the visitors and enjoys the general buzz throughout the shows.
After her residency, El needed to find somewhere that would allow her to develop her screens and the use of a textile print table. The West Yorkshire Print Workshop (WYPW) in Mirfield, allowed her to carry on making and printing for upcoming fairs and exhibitions. When she couldn’t get to the facilities, El would work from her kitchen table and wash her screens and inks out in the bath, trying not to decorate the bathroom with multiple ink splashes! After a year of doing this, El is thrilled to have a studio at Sunny Bank Mills where she is now based, working there on evenings and weekends to develop new projects and print ideas.
... and if this wasn’t keeping El busy enough, she is now training to be a textiles teacher at Leeds City College!
We caught up with El to find out more about her work, her inspirations and running a business.
What do you make, where and which materials do you use?
I create a range of printed textile pieces for the home and paper based wall art from my studio space. Wherever possible, I use reclaimed fabrics and try to prevent waste by utilising offcuts and fabric scraps. I use a variety of techniques such as drawing, painting, collage and printing.
Can you tell us how you originally got into textiles?
I became a Textile Designer after studying a three year BA(Hons) course in Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at Leeds Arts University. Here, I developed my skills and became passionate about the design and screen printing process. I have always had a love for colour and textiles, so I knew that this was the route for me.
“My design process has been developed from a love of the outdoors and in response to the Norwegian concept of Friluftsliv, which translates as ‘free air life’”
What do you find most enjoyable about running your own creative business?
I love the freedom to create designs and be playful with techniques, such as screen printing with blank screens onto cloth and paper and experimenting with painting styles. My favourite bit would be the involvement in the fairs and engagement with the design community. I love going to the different events and finding new makers to follow.
What inspires your design process?
My design process has been developed from a love of the outdoors and in response to the Norwegian concept of Friluftsliv, which translates as “free air life”. The concept encourages a strong relationship with nature and calls on the importance of spending time outdoors. I enjoy going on walks and taking a sketchbook to gather different marks and sketches from nature. This inspires my print designs and paintings.
Do you have a favourite colour or colour palette you like to work with?
My colours have been inspired from bright outdoor equipment and apparel, taking note especially of them against natural tones of the landscape. I love a bright teal, emergency orange, marshmallow pink and above all, multiple tones of khaki.
What are the biggest lessons you have learned since running your business?
I think that as a creative, it’s easy to doubt yourself and question your work, especially throughout the pandemic. I’ve learnt that it’s important to remember why you started and why you love what you do, keeping this at the forefront of your mind is essential to moving forward.
Discover more work by EL Riordan via her website & Instagram:
