This month, our “Inspired by Beatrix” series introduces the work of textile artist, maker and teacher Beverley Speck. Beverley was born in Lancashire and she is now based in Jersey, in the Channel Islands. She is a largely self- taught artist whose work is rooted in the landscapes and wildlife of the countryside. Her carefully created, one-of-a-kind pieces, have a warm, organic quality that shines through.
We were eager to know more about Beverley’s influences, in which way they shaped her creative journey and how she first discovered Beatrix Potter’s work.
I discovered Beatrix Potter as a child through her charming books which we had in the house, one of my most treasured objects is a small Peter Rabbit case, a present from my mum, in which I keep embroidery threads.
However, I grew up in Lancashire so with Cumbria as the next county, and only a 30-minute car drive away, I was incredibly familiar with her countryside legacy. Many of my school trips were to the Lake District and in Primary School I joined the Rambling Club; we would walk the lakes and fells every weekend. I feel so grateful to have had this as my childhood playground.
Beverley’s depictions make clear that from a very young age, she felt a strong connection to the natural world around her, an experience that allowed her to create a deep bond with the outdoors, much like Beatrix Potter and her own early fascination with nature.
What aspects of Beatrix Potter’s work inspire you the most?
The overriding thing about Beatrix Potter which inspires me most is that she was an unapologetic polymath. It’s quite clear that she chose to follow her heart in how she spent her time. Whether that was perfecting her watercolour technique, mycology research, as a conservationist, agriculturalist or her perfectly crafted story books. All driven by (a familiar term to me as a northerner) grit and dogged determination.
Her admiration for Beatrix is rooted both in the determination she showed through her life and in the distinctive power of her creative voice. This naturally led us to wonder how Beatrix Potter’s storytelling and illustration style have influenced Beverley’s own work.
As a child, teachers would forever be addressing my constant daydreaming, however as an adult I can now appreciate that what I was actually doing was watching everything going on outside of the window in the natural world. This ability to observe has stood me in good stead to undertake the work I now do. Beatrix was an excellent observer which is clearly evident in her wealth of sketches and the detail she expertly executes. However, I might not go as far as dissecting my subjects of interest!
Beverley and Beatrix share the same gift, both being able to observe nature in an attentive way, almost from within; noticing the small details, perceiving the quiet rhythms of nature and in doing so developing their own artistic imagination. Their work grows out of the same ability to appreciate their surroundings. With this parallelism between the two artists in mind, we asked Beverley which of Beatrix Potter’s creations she felt most drawn to.
Do you have a favourite Beatrix Potter book or character? Why?
I’ve always loved “The Tailor of Gloucester” because it captures the quiet devotion to craft that I recognise so deeply in my life as a self-employed textile artist. The pressure of the tailor’s looming deadline feels especially familiar, echoing how I so often work against the clock in solitude trusting in my skills and hoping maybe for a little bit of magic that the commission I am working on might be completed on time.
However, I would never desire the presence of mice in my studio, I am very happy for them to stay outside in the fields!
The Tailor of Gloucester is a figure Beverley connects with deeply as a craftsperson. But it is the sense of care that a tailor brings into their practice and their meticulous dedication to the craft that make us wonder what the artistic process might look like for Beverley. We asked her about how this unfolds for her; how does she begin and what is it like to transform raw materials into something unique, alive and with character.
My work is multi-faceted. My artwork originates from the countryside observations/views or nature that I encounter on my daily walks. This could be a bird I spot or a seasonal discovery in the hedgerow or grass verge of a field. I fill my sketchbook with quick drawings in pencil, back in the studio I will loosely apply watercolour as my preparatory work. I will then develop this into a textile picture often combining a variety of stitch and felting techniques. I also will be working on a piece I have been commissioned to undertake of a client’s home and garden or simply a favourite view.
In addition, I make a textile accessory range and felt a wide range of animals and birds which I sell via my social media pages. To supplement my income, I also teach the craft of needle felting workshops.
So far, the characters I have attempted to sculpt from wool inspired by Beatrix Potter are Jemima Puddle Duck, complete with her shawl and bonnet, Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland, Tommy Brock and Peter Rabbit wearing his signature blue jacket. I am currently working on a certain “foxy, whiskered gentleman”.
It is wonderful to hear that Beatrix’s work and the characters she cared for so deeply continue inspiring others, and that artists and makers like Beverley keep on finding joy in bringing these beloved characters to life once again. This made us wonder how Beverley incorporates elements of Beatrix Potter’s style into her own creations.
My style is often quite whimsical and the colours I gravitate to tend to be muted tones similar to the palette choices that Beatrix Potter was able to excel in depicting from the natural world.
As for techniques and materials that she uses that are reminiscent of Beatrix’s work, Beverley mentioned that she mainly chooses watercolours, constantly fills sketchbooks and uses scraps of fabric to make little nature journals.
Near the end of our questions, we wanted to ask Beverley about the artistic vision behind her practice.
What themes from Beatrix Potter’s stories resonate with you?
Wildlife and the landscape feature predominantly in my work. Whether it’s the charm of a red squirrel (I am lucky enough to have them visit my garden daily in Jersey where I now live), a woodpecker who busies himself spotted in the woodland from my bedroom window or a vista over local farmland and valleys.
Last year, I was incredibly fortunate to be Artist in Residence for the National Trust for Jersey. I was located in a charming bay on the North Coast of Jersey for 3 months. From my drawing desk I made daily studies of the land and sea to a constant sound backdrop of herring gulls and oystercatchers. One day I hope to replicate this experience swapping my current sea views and returning to my roots for one of the Lakes!
Beverley’s artistic journey is shaped by a deep connection with nature and by her imagination and genuine affection for the natural environment. It reflects Beatrix Potter’s sensitivity and appreciation for the landscapes that inspired her. Through her art, Beatrix aspired to show the quiet unassuming magic of the natural world and to celebrate and preserve it.
What do you hope to achieve with your art that is inspired by Beatrix Potter?
I hope that it celebrates the charm that shines out in her illustrations and the way she was able to bring the characters to life.
This last reflection clearly shows that Beatrix’s legacy is very much alive today, and that her influence is an enduring force that keeps evolving through time and place. Artists like Beverley Speck continue to carry her spirit forward through their love for nature, their belief in the magic of small things and the dedication and professionalism they bring to their craft. We are very grateful to Beverley for the time she shared with us and for the insight she offered.
If you would like to learn more about Beverley’s work, you can visit any of her social media pages or contact her by email.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beverleyspecktextiles/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beverleyspeck/
Email: beverley@beverleyspeck.co.uk
Photo of Beverley Speck, courtesy of the artist.
