I weave because I have an emotional attachment to the materials. I delight in the different qualities of yarn. The softness and depth you get when weaving with wool or the crisp firm surface of woven linen. It is about surface quality and handle of materials. Then there is colour; the combining of many coloured yarns is a magical process. The sea is a subject that has inspired me since my 3rd year at Edinburgh College of Art. Growing up by Newhaven Harbour in Edinburgh my father introduced me to sailing and messing about in boats. I fell in love with the sea and over the last 28 years the sea has continued to inspire me. From personal experience of sailing to harbours walls and crumbling piers, tidal flows and fisherman’s tails, there is an never ending supply of imagery.
Fiona studied at Edinburgh College of Art in the early 1980s. She started with the intention of studying Fashion, but after five days in the tapestry department she was converted. Although Fiona considers herself to be a tapestry artist, she is inspired by other textile materials and technicques. Fiona works from WASP studios in Edinburgh and also teaches Textile at the Edinburgh University's Life Long Learning Program and, also, workshops and short courses at various other venues. She has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions worldwide and recently represented Scottish makers at the Collect (London).