Fiona Simpson Weaves to Calm Her Mind
A Neurodivergent Artist Finds Peace in the Repetitive Art Form
In Fiona Simpson’s Sherman Oaks bedroom, a warm and art-filled space teeming with baskets of yarn and colorful weavings, a Leclerc floor loom from the 1980s occupies nearly as much area as her queen-size bed. On a recent Saturday in January, with binaural beats playing softly in the background, Simpson threaded her loom using a boat shuttle and shared how the repetitive art form has changed her life.
“Weaving is the one thing, other than sitting down and meditating, that turns my thoughts off,” said the 28-year-old fiber artist, who was awakened at 4 a.m. on Jan. 10 by a false evacuation warning for the Palisades fire. “When I am weaving, I am present. Sometimes there is stillness and quiet; other times it is a way for me to process things. I don’t worry about other things. It’s like a form of therapy, a healing process.”
The Power of Repetitive Tasks
Apart from the joy that comes from working with her hands, Simpson said there is power in repetitive tasks. “I compare it to meditation: inhale, exhale,” she said as she pulled the horizontal beater bar toward her to push the yarn into place. “Everything is threaded one strand at a time. It reminds me of, in simple terms, putting one foot in front of the other.”
A Journey to Self-Discovery
It’s not a surprising response from someone who describes herself as neurodivergent, having only recently been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which often includes difficulty paying attention. “I felt scattered, restless in my thoughts,” Simpson said. “It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do.”
A Family Legacy of Creativity
For as long as she can remember, Simpson has been a creative person like her family members. Both of her great-grandmothers were painters; her father, Brian Simpson, is a smooth jazz pianist; and her mother, Beverley Simpson, is a collage artist. “I grew up wearing knit sweaters by my grandmothers,” Simpson said with a smile.
The Importance of Community
As a neurodivergent learner, Simpson struggled to manage her time and attention. “It was tough knowing I wanted to pursue art but not what direction to go,” she said. “I was a C student and coasted for as long as I can remember. When I was 18, I was told by a doctor that I had anxiety and depression. But that diagnosis never felt right.”
A Newfound Sense of Purpose
In 2007, Simpson started weaving “for fun” when her 70-year-old neighbor, fiber artist Mary Beth Schwartzenberger, offered her a floor loom. “It wasn’t until I took a sculpting class that I realized how much I love working with my hands,” Simpson said. “That was the turning point. I tried ceramics; I tried so many different things. It wasn’t until the loom that I realized, ‘This is me. This is what I need to be doing.'”
A Future of Uncertainty and Creativity
As a mentor figure, Schwartzenberg is moved that her simple gift of a floor loom would have such a profound influence on Simpson, whom she has known since birth. “It was my good fortune to know I touched someone,” she said. “Once you have access to the work of the hand, that never leaves you. My only request of Fiona was that if she decided to keep the loom, she please pay it forward.”
Conclusion
Fiona Simpson’s journey with weaving has been one of self-discovery, creativity, and healing. Through her art, she has found a sense of calm and purpose, and she is committed to continuing her creative path.
FAQs
* What is Fiona Simpson’s experience with weaving?
Fiona Simpson has been weaving for over a decade and has used it as a form of therapy to calm her mind and process her thoughts.
* What is her diagnosis?
Fiona Simpson has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which often includes difficulty paying attention.
* What is her creative background?
Fiona Simpson comes from a family of creatives, with both great-grandmothers being painters, her father being a smooth jazz pianist, and her mother being a collage artist.
* What is her current project?
Fiona Simpson is currently working on several weavings, including a table runner, a wall hanging, and a tapestry, which will be available for sale on her website.
