Fiona Solley is a talented artist whose vibrant work speaks about the beauty of nature through intricate patterns and bold colors. In this interview, Fiona shares how her coastal environment, where the serene beach meets the rugged bushland, deeply influences her art. She talks about her creative process, the role of color, and how she combines different mediums like gouache, colored pencils, and oil pastels to bring her nature-inspired visions to life. She also opens up about how her love for the Australian landscape drives her creativity and how she uses her art to inspire others to see the world with a sense of wonder.

Fiona Solley is a featured artist in our book “Lines And Curves.” You can explore her journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here: https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book

Fiona Solley’s work is described as a vibrant celebration of patterns, deeply intertwined with her connection to the natural world. Living in an idyllic environment where the serene beauty of the beach and the rugged charm of the bushland coexist, she shares that this unique setting has profoundly influenced her artistic journey. For Fiona, this environment serves as her muse, inspiring her to create pieces that not only depict nature but also evoke the emotions and experiences it offers.

Her creative process is a harmonious blend of gouache, coloured pencil, and oil pastel, resulting in bold motifs rich in colour and intricate detail. Fiona explains that each piece she creates is a visual exploration of the landscapes and flora that define her surroundings. Through her work, she aims to capture the essence of the natural world, infusing it with a sense of wonder and reverence. The intricate patterns and vibrant hues that characterize her art reflect the diversity and complexity of the environment she is fortunate to call home.

The natural beauty surrounding Fiona is an endless source of inspiration. She often finds herself outdoors, camera in hand, exploring the local flora and capturing the unique elements that define the Australian landscape. These captured moments become an integral part of her studio process, where they are transformed into motifs and textures that populate her work. She begins by sketching these elements onto paper, allowing them to evolve and take shape as they are layered onto plywood.

In the studio, Fiona builds up layers of watery gouache on the plywood, gradually increasing opacity with each layer. As the work progresses, she meticulously applies finer details using less diluted gouache and coloured pencil, ensuring that the texture of the plywood remains visible. This method, she says, grounds her work in the natural elements that inspire it, allowing the rawness of the materials to shine through.

For Fiona, her art is not just a reflection of the natural world; it is a tribute to it. Through her patterns and designs, she strives to share the beauty of her surroundings with others, inviting them to experience the same sense of connection and appreciation that she feels every day.

1. Fiona, how does your coastal environment influence your creative process?

My coastal environment deeply shapes my creative process. Living so close to both bushland and the beach, I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such rich and diverse landscapes. I’m often out walking with my camera, capturing the unique flora that defines Australia. Whether I’m looking up at towering trees or down at the intricate ground cover, I find endless inspiration in the colours, textures, and forms of the natural world around me. These elements frequently spark ideas for new paintings, patterns, and illustrations, guiding my artistic journey and infusing my work with the vibrancy and detail of this beautiful environment.

My art is not just a reflection of the natural world; it is a tribute to it. Through my patterns and designs, I strive to share the beauty of my surroundings with others, inviting them to experience the same sense of connection and appreciation that I feel every day.

Fiona Solley

2. Can you share what it feels like to translate your connection to nature into your art?

Translating my connection to the beautiful natural surroundings right on my doorstep into my art feels incredibly fulfilling and almost meditative. It’s like capturing a moment of excitement that I experience in the natural world and bringing it to life on the canvas. As I work, I feel immersed in the colours, patterns, and textures that inspired me initially. Each brushstroke or line I create feels like a bridge between myself and nature, a way to communicate the beauty and energy I see around me. It’s a joyful process that allows me to share my gratitude for the world’s details, colours, and textures with others, hoping to spark a similar sense of wonder.

3.  What role does color play in your work, and how do you choose your palette?

Colour is an essential component of my work; it brings energy and emotion to each piece. I’m drawn to bold, expressive shades, often choosing colours based on the mood or intensity I want to convey rather than realistic representation. Right now, I’m especially captivated by fluorescent pinks—they bring a striking vibrancy that adds a unique touch. My palette choices often stem from a feeling or memory tied to nature, allowing me to reinterpret the natural world in my own way, where colours speak with their voice and evoke a fresh, dynamic experience for the viewer.

4. How do you blend different mediums like gouache, colored pencils, and oil pastels in your creations?

I’m a layering enthusiast! I begin by applying large, flat areas of translucent, watered-down acrylic gouache as the base. Then, I build up with thicker, more opaque layers of gouache to create depth and form. To enhance detail, I add fine lines and textures using coloured pencils and oil pastels. Each layer introduces a unique texture, which allows me to control the level of detail in specific areas. This layered approach gives me the freedom to explore the interplay of different textures, adding dimension and richness to each piece.

The intricate patterns and vibrant hues that characterize my art mirror the diversity and complexity of the environment I am so fortunate to call home.

Fiona Solley

5. What themes do you find yourself returning to in your illustrations and patterns?

The themes I return to in my illustrations and patterns are rooted in the vibrant beauty of nature surrounding me. Living close to both bushland and beach, I feel incredibly fortunate to have these landscapes as my muse. I’m constantly inspired by the unique and diverse flora of Australia, capturing its intricate details and vibrant colours on my walks with my camera. Elements of nature—the textures, patterns, and colours—often become the foundation of my next piece, reflecting a deep admiration for the natural world. This connection to my environment continually drives my creativity and forms the core theme of my work.

6. What message do you hope viewers take away from your vibrant artwork?

Through my vibrant artwork, I hope viewers take away a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the hidden beauty within nature that is on our doorstep and everyday objects. My artwork aims to transform ordinary, everyday materials into art, using colour, patterns, and textures to celebrate the potential for reinvention. By using a vibrant colour palette, I aim to invite viewers to look beyond the surface, reimagine the role of these overlooked items, and see how form and function can merge into captivating visual stories. My goal is not only to share the aesthetic allure of colour, patterns, and textures but also to spark thoughts on our natural world and mindful consumption. By highlighting the artistry in the commonplace, I aim to encourage viewers to recognise the impact of our choices on the environment and discover the beauty and purpose that can be found in even the most ordinary objects.

Fiona Solley’s art is more than just a reflection of the natural beauty around her—it’s an invitation to see the world through a different lens. By blending color, texture, and pattern, she transforms the everyday elements of the natural world into works of visual storytelling. To learn more about Fiona, click the following links to visit her profile.

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