Teacher Feature: Fiona Ellis

As most of you know, part of the reason I make sure we have a cross-current of offerings at every squam gathering is that I believe we never know where inspiration is going to come from.  And, sometimes, if we have been perfecting our craft in one, specific medium we can strangle the cord to the creative flow. 

We don't mean to do that, of course. 

We want to improve our skills, take our work to the next level-- and yet, if we dial our focus in too tightly, the experience can feel more like work than play.  And we all have more than enough work in our lives already, yes?

So I am particularly thrilled that Fiona Ellis will be joining us for our Spring session that opens in just two weeks (--eeep!).

Fiona has created a life that weaves her passion for knitting and designing with the tenets of pure creativity. I would attempt to put the following paragraph from her website into my own words, but honestly, it simply can't be said better than this:

Fiona’s fascination with the creative process influences her as she develops her hands-on workshops for knitters and textile artists. She continues to attempt to devise methods, for both herself and her students, to capture that illusive and transitory moment of inspiration.

The transitory moment of inspiration: ephemeral. A focus on the ephemeral. Music to my ears -- you know that.

And so, before I share the lovely interview that Jen did with Fiona (below)-- I wanted to tell you one other bit. Last December, when Michelle and I were plugging in all the info about the workshops into the website we had a typo on one of Fiona's classes-- instead of "knitting as meditation"-- it read knitting as mediation . .. ha.

Now there's a whole nother dimension of offerings we could put together for the litigators among us . ..

:: :: ::

Where were you born?

Nottingham England

Describe yourself in 5 words...

Creative, optimistic, inquisitive, day-dreamer & extrovert.

What sounds calm you?

Wave lapping on rocks and the call of a loon.

What are your some of your favorite spices/herbs?

I love Indian food and spices and especially like fresh cilantro.

Describe your idea of the perfect vacation.

Visiting somewhere unusual in the world that I haven't been to- I love to explore.

What colors are carried throughout your home?

Orange, Lime Green and Turquoise- I live in an urban loft condo and these are accent colours- they look great against industrial concrete.

What is something you would like to learn to do?

I would like to learn to be a better photographer or make high end chocolates

Country Mouse or City Mouse?

City Mouse

What song reminds you of you of your childhood?

Sugar Sugar or anything by the Beatles...this is a covert way of getting us to give away out age eh?

When you were younger, what was your favorite candy/snack at the movie theater?

I didn't really eat candy at the movies but I did love Love Hearts

What was the best part of your day?

I'm most awake at around 9.30pm so that's when I am most productive. I'm not good in the morning but I do love to walk early(ish) in the day.

:: :: ::

Thank you, Fiona!  I am so looking forward to meeting you.  See you at the lake--

bisous, e