From collage to pattern
A tactile process of cutting, layering, and translating form into repeat
A sequence of making — from painted paper to repeat pattern
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![A person mixing yellow and green watercolor paints on paper with a paintbrush. Art supplies, including small containers of yellow, black, and other colored paints, are arranged on a white surface.]()
Step 1 — Painting the papers
Hand-painted papers form the foundation of each design.
Paint, ink, and pigment are layered to create colour, texture, and depth. -
![A person is cutting yellow paper flowers with scissors for a craft project, surrounded by watercolor paintings and a flower in a pot.]()
Step 2 — Drawing with scissors
Working from observation, forms are cut and shaped by hand — drawing with scissors rather than pencil.
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Step 3 — Building the composition
Elements are arranged and reworked, allowing relationships between shape, colour, and scale to emerge.
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![A person working on a laptop with an image of purple and pink flowers on the screen, surrounded by paper scraps on a desk, in a setting with wooden walls and small bowls of paint in the background.]()
Step 4 — Translating into pattern
Each motif is photographed and developed into a seamless repeat, forming immersive wallpaper and fabric designs.
“Viewers are often surprised to discover that each motif is built from hand-cut, painted papers — not drawn or digitally created”
A process shaped by material
In contrast to digitally generated pattern, Fiona’s work retains the physical qualities of its making — visible layers, shadows, and texture.
This results in designs that feel immersive, expressive, and closely connected to the natural world.