Lou Turnbull

Natural Colour Artist, Materials & Textiles

I am a craft artist making meaning through land based and botanical connections. The art of natural colour making is central to my practice, working closely with foraged and grown materials to create dyes, inks and paints which are incorporated into artworks in stitch, weave, cloth and paper. My studio and natural dye shed are at my home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. I teach and run creative workshops and community events for nature connection, self-exploration and authentic expression. I call my practice Wild Art which refers to my embodiment of re-wilding through nature-based art.

Sun & Moon

An anniversary gift painted in handmade Oak Gall Ink. 2026

Artwork

My work is often a visual response to the natural colour and materials I have gathered, grown and sampled. The process of making helps me to understand my inner and outer worlds and symbolises relationship with Nature and self. Trees and plants are my allies, guides and collaborators. Sustainability, seasonality, slowness, intuition, technique and process are the pillars of my creative practice. Artworks are often accompanied by my writing which I publish on Substack.

Hand crafted crown made from blackthorns and stitched onto birch bark

Monoprint of a nettle handprinted in nettle lake pigment

Workshops

I teach natural colour and craft workshops. My events focus on technique, sustainability and wellbeing through creativity and nature connection. I invite participants to slow down and let go of outcome, letting hearts and hands lead the way for unique expression.

Students participating in an art workshop making wild and natural inks from botanicals

Creative workshop people holding their natural dyed fabric samples and tie dye

Silk being naturally dyed in buddleia in a dye pot

Process

The art of natural colour making from wild and grown botanicals is very labour intensive. This is reflected in my records by photography and sampling and becomes part of the artwork.