Conversations with Fiona Simpson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fiona Simpson.

Hi Fiona, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was introduced to art at a very young age, and I think I was always an artist. I grew up surrounded by creativity, with the sound of my father, a contemporary jazz artist, playing the piano, and the sight of my mother working on her art projects. I learned the foundations of what I know from both of my parents, and I’ve explored many mediums throughout my life.

It wasn’t until I was given a Leclerc floor loom that I truly found my craft. I was 20 years old at the time, and I still have the very first weaving I ever made. I never could have imagined how profoundly this loom would change my life.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, and I’ve found a strong connection between my neurodivergence and weaving. Working on the loom allows my body to slow down. It requires patience, thoughtfulness, and care. My mind doesn’t wander when I weave, and it’s one of the rare times I feel fully present.

Today, I continue my weaving practice. I weave daily, while also allowing myself to pause. I started my most recent weaving, Nonlinear, in May 2026 and finished it five months later, in September. There were moments when I felt frustrated and wanted to push through, but this time I allowed myself to step away for a month. During that break, I went on a solo road trip through Chicago to Canada to visit family, and it ended up influencing how I thought about this weaving.

The trip reminded me that time is always changing, and that I change with it. Personal growth, for me, has never been linear. I didn’t know I would find weaving, but I did, and it continues to teach me how to embrace life’s unexpected paths.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest struggle has been working with my neurodivergence and the isolation it once instilled. Before my ADHD diagnosis, I hadn’t weaved in years. I always knew I would return to it, but managing my symptoms took all of my energy. Now, with the support of friends, family, and professionals, I’ve learned to work with my neurodivergence rather than against it. I’ve learned that I can’t pour from an empty cup, so I spend time in nature and talking to loved ones. That fills my cup with inspiration. Before I had my ADHD managed, I felt isolated. Now, I know what connection feels like. I know its importance and how impactful it is not just on my weaving, but on my overall wellbeing. I didn’t get where I am today by myself, and I just try my best to live in gratitude for the positive experiences, successes, and people I have in my life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve spent the past three years focusing on tapestries, inspired by the passage of time, movement, and growth. I explore these themes through abstract compositions, utilizing color and texture and creating a sense of depth within a flat weaving.

I think what sets my work apart is that I try to let the material speak for itself. Each weaving is made in collaboration with the fiber. I never feel fully in control of a project, and I like that. I loosely plan designs, but ultimately the yarn tells me where it wants to go. As I weave, row by row, I watch how the colors slowly build and begin to interact with the surrounding space. My weavings are intuitive, rather than fixed, and I think that fluidity is represented in my work.

I’m most proud of how I’ve developed this approach over time. When I first began weaving, everything was experimental. It’s taken years, but I feel like I’ve found my rhythm. I’ll always be learning, but I know a lot more than when I first started. I’m proud of how far I’ve come in my craft, both technically and conceptually.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I was around 8 years old, and my mom, brother, sister, and I had just landed in Ottawa, Canada, to visit my grandmother. We had an hour-long drive ahead of us. It was nighttime and pouring rain, but we started driving. About halfway there, my mom had to pull over on the small country road because the rain was so heavy. I was sitting in the backseat when I turned my head up to look at the sky. I was mesmerized. I could see all the stars.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I had never seen anything like that before. I wasn’t scared that my mom pulled over. I wasn’t worried about how we would finish the drive. I felt safe in that car with my family, looking up at the universe. It was such a profound experience of feeling completely present and in awe, and that’s why it stands out. I was amazed by something I had never seen before with the people I love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fionafayesimpson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionafayesimpson
• Other: https://www.artlifting.com/collections/fiona-faye-simpson

Image Credits
Riley Reiss
Fiona Simpson