"It is the child that sees the primordial secret in Nature and it is the child of ourselves we return to. The child within us is simple and daring enough to live the Secret." - Lao-Tzu
Fiona Watson is certainly living the Secret. She gathers nature's treasures and creates still life compositions which she photographs. These compositions are the most beautiful zen-like works of art.
In Fiona's artists statement she says, "The patterns, rythms, forms and colours of nature in a microscopic and macroscopic sense have always fascinated me. This initially led to studying Biological Sciences at Leicester University. After several years of working for various medical journals, I eventually studied printmaking at the Glasgow Print Studio - etching copper and steel plates with acids turned out to be the perfect blend of science and art. As a complete contrast and foil to messy printmaking, I also work extensively in digital printmaking."
Fiona sums up her journey to becoming an artist with a quote from Ben Okri. “We plan our lives according to a dream that came to us in our childhood, and we find that life alters our plans. And yet, at the end, from a rare height, we also see that our dream was our fate. It's just that providence had other ideas as to how we would get there. Destiny plans a different route, or turns the dream around, as if it were a riddle, and fulfills the dream in ways we couldn't have expected.”
See Fiona's work here, here and here.
Take a look at the "Playing with the Pieces" series. Fiona writes that they are "sort of visual exercises .... like piano scales ... before I start work."
Last but not least, feast your eyes on the stunning "Unwritten Book" series. Someone ought to write a poem about it.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, thanks for taking the time to locate and share such fascinating artwork.
These are beautiful testaments giving notice to the simple things in life and helping us to see the beauty in those same things. A twig, a stone, a feather, all take a place of honor in her work. Lovely!!!! Thanks for introducing me to a new artist.
ReplyDeleteRobyn.. i am always breathless from the beauty when i read your posts...i went to her flickr site and can understand your dilemma.. everything is gorgeous...i am continually inspired by all you share.
ReplyDeleteAAARRRGGGHH! here we go again.. another fabulous artist. As I looked at all her work I realized that I have every one of those objects-rocks, porcupine quills, buttons, twigs,ammonites, all of them-- plus the Asian calligraphy--never thought to use them this way-- love it all.
ReplyDeleteI also love the Ben Okri quote. Thank you once again.
p.s. I just went to fiona's website and she has an etching of a bowl of rocks with circles on them-that I have on my back deck-- incredible.
ReplyDeleterobyn have you been reading my mind? It is illegal...
ReplyDeleteit feels these past four posts you are chizeling away at something in my heart, a resisting and yet a tug towards these expressions...
thanda!
these are heart breakingly (is that a word?!) beautiful to me Robyn. they are truth in simply being; visible poetry that instantly slows me down inside and makes me feel a deeper sense of peace. I release.
ReplyDeletethank you.
Yes, and yes and yes. I have been lost in her flicker stream before for hours....
ReplyDeletegeez!, Robyn - I just spent most of my morning on her flickr sight! another jewel you've found! this is one of the most inspirational artists I've seen in awhile - thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteOh Robyn, you always seem to be the first blog I go to on a Saturday morning. Today I slept late... I have the whole day off! This week is perfect for the artist in my soul... and I think will lead me on a wonderful path on my art work today... Roxanne
ReplyDeleteKim, discovering Fiona's work was a huge relief for me. It's come at a time when I really need to be out in the wilderness in touch with nature.
ReplyDeleteZappha, she makes each object sacred doesn't she?
Lisa, looking at some of these arrangements I'm reminded of your beautiful piece, "Maine Collective".
Donna, now why did I think you were going to love these still lifes?
Mansuetude, it is quite amazing how many times we bloggers all seem to be having similar inspirations. I think we all influence each other.
Karin, you've put into words how I feel when looking at them. Food for the soul! I wish Fiona would publish a book of her photographs.
Leslie, getting lost in them is very easy to do :-)
Jeane, happy to make the introduction.
Roxanne, enjoy your day off and spoil yourself with some quality studio time ....or maybe just relaxing and brewing ideas in your head.
and now i'm breathless, too....and am again reminded of the beauty of simplicity and nature.
ReplyDeletegood lessons from this artist...and you. . .as i look around at my rocks, stones, shells, pods, twigs, buds...like so many of us. why try to draw them? they're too beautiful the way they are..off to the flickr site!!
I just love love love this artist. I collect such things and never know what to do with them. Hmmmmm I have much inspiration here. Thank you so much for bringing her to our attention.
ReplyDeleteHow stunning to see such sensitive work...these collections are truly beautiful. I love the etching of course...should be gardening today, but just going to visit flickr instead. Thanks Robyn. xx
ReplyDeleteI've said it before and I'll say it again...your blog is such a treat to come too! I really mean it when I say I love everything here...this post is especially inspiring. I love all of it!
ReplyDeleteMy first cup of tea of the day has just gone cold beside me as I looked at these links. Stunning beyond words. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteIn one word - exquisite.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, sorry not to have commented recently - I am now trying to play catch up with all these marvellous posts - I think I've said it before, but just scrolling down your blog page is a treat for the senses!! I will come back again and again to read your wonderful posts in more detail!
ReplyDeleteNancy, you will need a few cups of coffee to see your way through the Flickr file.
ReplyDeleteLisa at G, very inspiring work.
Jo, I thought of you when looking at the etchings. I would have loved to post more here but then there's just too much to take in.
Lisa S, I thought you would love it!
Annie, not surprising your tea got cold. Yesterday the hours ticked by without my noticing them, so engrossed was I.
Margaret, ditto!
Caroline, see ya later :-)
so beautiful -I went on the flickr site and I can probably spend the whole day looking at her images. I love that your blog introduces me to so many wonderful things :)
ReplyDeleteStunning as usual Robyn. Where do you find these things? I'm so in love with all the stones again.
ReplyDeleteThese still life compositions are all wonderful, they have such a calming balanced feel to them. Thanks for posting this beautiful collection.
ReplyDeletebeautiful timeless work...i'm already on my third visit to the Flickr site.
ReplyDeletethank you Robyn for the introduction
the celebration of nature leaves me undone! thank you for this post, it is so beautiful and her work is just stunning and love the Lao Tzu quote...thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow! Fiona's work is so beautiful and inspiring! I keep going back to look at these pieces. They give me a feeling of calm!
ReplyDeleteLove everything about this post...thank you for putting this all together, links, quotes and beautiful photos...it is a gift!
ReplyDeleteI will visit her sites and I'm sure enjoy more of these simple beauties.
Interesting stuff Robyn. Yes those objects of nature are wonderful in their own right, but it takes an artist to be able to put them together and make such stunning works of art.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, she is like an Elizabeth Blackadder! Beautiful art.
ReplyDeleteLovely to read your message, thank you so much!
These are all so visually stunning. There is both a natural and organic aspect to these but also with such an ordered nature. As others have said, just seeing them makes me feel calm.
ReplyDeletePink Dogwood, glad you enjoyed the browse.
ReplyDeleteHeather, there's something about pebbles and stones. These ones with the white markings are particularly beautiful.
Azirca, I think that's part of the secret....they are so calming.
Sally, tell me about it! I can't stop looking either.
La Dolce Vita, the quote just seemed right for this post.
Manon, exactly!
Mary Ann, you're in for a treat!
Weaver, I was quite stunned the first time I saw them and you are so right, it takes an artist to put them together and elevate them to works of art.
Julie, your latest painting is so beautiful.
Seth, it feels like a walk in the country without leaving the house :-)
This is very very very beautiful and touching art...soul-food...thank you Robyn!
ReplyDeleteI have such an affinity for what Fiona is doing. Always I have focused more on the small and intimate.
ReplyDeleteLove the Ben Okri quote!
An exquisite post, Robyn. I love the way her mind works-combining science and art. That interest shows in her compositions. They are delightful. Just "yes"! The second one down is so sensitive, the second one from the bottom made me smile. She's spectacular and her words are powerful and poingnant. What a find!
ReplyDeleteLoads of beauty and inspiration here! Found my way via eb and Lyle...fantastic work to ignite my imagination.
ReplyDeleteHi Lakshmi here,thanks for visiting my blog and your wonderful comments have encouraged me alot.Great artists like you appreciating will always encourage us.Inviting you to visit celebrationsdecor for watching Deepa ali,the festival of lights form my home.
ReplyDeletebe still my heart!
ReplyDeleteI'm swooning! Such beautiful compilations - so incredibly inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThe ways in which objects can be displayed are endless but to make the mundane look like precious art is truly a gift and looking at those displayed here is so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteBut, like Heather, I would like to know how you manage to find these treasures out there in the vast world that we inhabit!?
These are so absolutely beautiful,
ReplyDeleteI want to jump right into them...
Really breath-taking...
Thanks so much Robyn!!
All I can say at this point, since I too am breathless and my fingers are shaking, is "WOW".
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing this artist to me. Now I want to try things such as this ... and I adore the quotation about dreams for life and how you end up ... well, where you needed to be, I guess. - Jeanne
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Robyn! I agree with the above comments, really beautiful art and they give me a feeling of calm also! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBellisimo post. Le felicito.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight her work is Robyn. Thanks for posting the links. It will take me ages to absorb everything but it's only time..haha.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post and a wonderful subject. Such zen-like beauty
ReplyDeleteHow do you do it, Robyn? You always manage t ofind the most incredibly inspiring artwork (as if yours wasn't enough!). I really like the Lao-Tzu quote. So true! I remember feeling the "secret" when I was a child and still into my teens...occassionally now, I get a glimpse into the secret. My boy Jason, nearly 18months now, opens the door into that secret, occassionally.
ReplyDeleteSo love 'the child within us is simple and daring enough to live the
ReplyDeletesecret.
How wonderful and how big yet simple.
Have a great creative day!
Robyn, I am back again to tell you how much your art and the art you share influences me in my own art... I wonder, can you tell? I have a day off today... I hope you are having a beautiful day yourself... Roxanne
ReplyDeleteYes, Robyn! This is excellent artwork! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you ...
ReplyDeleteIt has that "Zen" touch
robyn - good grief! this may be your most staggering post yet!! everything here speaks to me. softly yet not softly... i understand this language...
ReplyDeleteas always, thank you...
xo
The artist's collection is stunning in its simplicity. I love, love, love the last few images.
ReplyDeleteThis is the power of simplicity. Its only that so few people understand it. Fiona loves what she does and is at peace with herself. How rare and beautiful is that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for featuring Fiona and bringing her work to us & that Ben Okri quote is so so so true. Thank you so much for this.
oh to be retired and be able to spend all day doing this! i've never seen anything so simple and serene be so stunningly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteamazingly beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeletejust my kind of thing
thanks once again.
Congratulations!!! So beautiful!!!
ReplyDelete