Meet the Artist - Fiona Kingdon
Fiona Kingdon
This month we are thrilled to feature artist Fiona Kingdon. Fiona is a wood artist based in the Midlands. Her beautiful work regularly features at galleries and festivals around the country. Fiona has kindly agreed to answer our questions into her artistic life and as an extra special feature has made a video showcasing the creative process behind her work - which you can find below. Thank you so much Fiona, for sharing your art path with us here!
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ARTIST FIONA?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t work with wood but I have been making my way as wood artist for the last 9 years. I didn’t really choose to become an artist, it was just my way of looking after myself, finding sanctuary in making when life was too often too much, it was a choice that accidentally became more permanent. I have always had an affinity for wood so studied Furniture Restoration and Craftsmanship but stopped to get over some ill health and bring up my lovely son. Needing a reliable income and without the means to set up a workshop, I went into working with young people with behavioural difficulties. After a stressful decade and coping with the limitations of arthritis, I came to a point where I decided to chance being poorer and boss-less whilst trying to make something beautiful with what could be done with limited tools in a garden shed. I keep making art because I have unsatiable need to create with my hands and I can’t find anyone I like enough, who’ll also employ me!
WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
My style refuses to settle, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with a tide of ideas I’d like to try, so find it helpful to turn to creating detailed lace like representations of nature which challenge my skill but require a concentration that keeps me centred. Other times, I love to work with more free-flowing natural shapes or delicate silhouette forms. I find the mathematical patterns in nature an endless source of pleasing shapes to play with, but part of the joy is seeing just what I can push the wood to do, it’s an intoxicating medium for me.
I use wood to express my ideas in many ways, but mostly I use a scrollsaw (a powered fretsaw) to cut intricate holes to create wall hanging landscapes, silhouettes, nature inspired motifs and jewellery pieces using rescued and native timbers. Most pieces are suggested by the grain and colours within the woods that I find or the landscapes and natural forms that I love. A scrollsaw is more usually used for puzzle or toy making, but I enjoy using it more artistically to an effect similar to paper cutting or Japanese Tatebanko.
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOUR ART?
Inspiration either comes or it doesn’t, I don’t go looking for it or worry too much what others are doing, that said long rhythmical walks in the woods or listening to ASMR soundscapes can help shake out some ideas. My work doesn’t come in neat phases I can plan around, maybe one day I’ll be able to get over the frustrated and slightly guilty feeling I have when I am not being productive and remember that the slack phases are really just part of the wallowing that has to be done sometimes. Time spent ‘plank gazing’ letting the images reveal themselves is always rewarded. My favourite art days are those I can disappear into total concentration and absorption which leave me contentedly tired and often with the best of my work done. I find a lot of peace in it if am left uninterrupted.
The artists I admire the most, are those who are still pursuing beauty, freedom, or a truth. Often, they are also the ones are also aiming for excellence in the craft of their art. Personally, I feel art that requires an explanation is a bit of a failure and am irritated by the exposure given to art that is obsessed with the politics of identity or where anything will do, no matter how inept or ugly, so long as its story fits the trending narrative.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE WANTING TO PURSUE ART?
If I had my time again or were advising a young person, I say don’t pursue the arts as a career unless you fancy yourself as a salesperson or are exceptionally talented. In the arts, the freedom to try full time without fear of destitution has, and likely always will be the preserve of the wealthy or retired. So, let whatever your art is, be something you do because it brings you affirmation, not an income. Being in a semi -permanent state of anxiety about whether what you are doing is worthwhile, justified, or good enough whilst fearful that your income and future is always hanging someone else’s approval can cramp your creativity somewhat! But for me, and I suspect a lot of other artists, pragmatism be blowed, I just can’t help myself.
Watch this short video to find out more about Fiona’s creative process and see more examples of her beautiful wood work.
Let your art be the thing you do because it brings you affirmation, not an income
Fiona Kingdon
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.