A talented Textile Designer - Fiona Lenord

I have always considered myself to be very lucky to have been mentored by so many talented people in the early days of my textile design career as an in-house designer at Sheridan and Bruck Textiles. One of the designers whose work always amazed me with her drawing ability and sublime flower painting skills is 'new to freelance' textile designer Fiona Lenord.

Fiona's design experience has been prolific and diverse - although mostly self taught, Fiona says her skills are also a celebration of the talented people she has learnt from in her career as a textile designer. Fiona has worked at four of the Textile Design studios in Sydney - Longina Phillips Designs, Sheridan, T & J Designs and KAS.

Photograph Copyright Sheridan

Fiona loves a design challenge that requires a lot of research, whether it be an insight into a variety of rose or an art movement. A huge panel bedlinen design Fiona worked on for Sheridan that took several weeks to complete was inspired by French Provincial wallpaper.

Fiona loved the journey which involved researching the appropriate painting technique, the architectural style of the decorative urns and follies, and the flower motifs of the period. And there is always the challenge of producing a textile design using just 8 colours!

Photograph Copyright - Sheridan

Inspiration wise, Fiona loves mid century architecture, homewares, fashion and fabrics, especially the 1940's - 1970's period which were so rich in innovation, colour and change.

Fiona's favourite colour combinations are ever changing. At the moment she loves the combination of teal green and blue, indigo, lime and olive. Pictured above are a pile of cushions sewn by Fiona in this palette, made from vintage fabrics collected over the years.

Fiona's favourite shop in the world is from her Blue Mountains locale. Frou Frou Old and New is located in Springwood, NSW and is filled with beautiful vintage and retro finds. Fiona says she likes to support and shop local, and this store is run by her personal shoppers and friends!

Frou Frou Old and New front window display

And my favourite question to artists and designers - what is your favourite flower to paint and draw?
No doubt this is a hard one as she has painted thousands over the years! She loves a 'Nana' flower and therefore enjoys painting Peonies, Hydrangeas and Camellias.

She really enjoyed painting a lotus flower mural on her sister's tank at her farm. This project was a stretch for her in scale, medium, colour mixing and painting in the freezing outdoor weather. I love the finished result.

Fiona is now working from home on a freelance basis and is available for commissions. Take a look at her beautiful hand painted textile designs on her website here: http://www.fionalenord.com.au/