Fleur Woods
We head down under to chat with New Zealander Fleur Woods, master of the art of slow, soothing stitching
Speaking to us from beautiful Aotearoa New Zealand, Fleur Woods shares how she cultivated her ‘Stitched Painting’ style, her joy of the creative process, and the release of her new book The Untamed Thread inspire creativity in others… to
How did you first get into fibre arts?
I began adding stitching to my work in around 2015. It was very experimental with simple stitches on paper and then using them in mixed media collages. As I stitched more, I had the light bulb moment of realising both painters and stitchers use linen as a base. I explored what I came to call Stitched Painting, growing a passion for all things fibre.
You’ve just released your beautiful book The Untamed Thread – congratulations! What was the motivation behind the book?
Thank you! The Untamed Thread has been an absolute dream project. I wasn’t sure if I had a book in me, but creating my online course, Joyful Embroidery, the year before, taught me a lot about how to share my process and write about what I hoped others would get out of it. Timing is everything sometimes. It was fun to write about my journey, take time to reflect, and dive into the lile things I’ve done, that helped me develop and connect with my creative practice.
The main purpose of the book is to share my learnings in an inspiring and gentle way, encouraging others to live a more creative life and truly connect with their unique sense of creativity. There are practical prompts as well as stories, examples and inspiration galore. This book isn’t just for stitchers, but anyone who loves colour, texture, textiles, fibre, nature and creativity.
You teach a lot of workshops. Do you find either teaching or creating your own art more satisfying?
I adore teaching workshops and travel throughout NZ and Australia (with tentative plans further afield in 2025). Creating in a room with others is total magic; there’s alchemy when a group
of people gather around a table to create, coming home to ourselves and making meaningful connections.
That said, teaching requires a lot of energy, so I need equal amounts of time to create. In an ideal world, I’d spend more time creating and less time on the ‘business’, but being a practising artist is also being a small business owner. I try to ensure time creating is prioritised.
Given you’re balancing creating art and being a business owner, what does a typical day look like for you?
This year my days have looked very different! I’ve worked on a solo exhibition, The Untamed Thread book, a TV show called Shepherdess - 3 Women on the Land (a 6-part series documenting the lives of rural women), and many workshops, commissions and kits. When I’m not travelling, my day involves geing the kids off to school, having coffee with my husband at his store in our local village, then back to my home studio, working on artwork, creating kits with my right-hand person Miranda, or computer work. At 3pm, it’s back into Mum mode. I’m not interested in the glorification of being busy but, as a mum with a full-time job, life is very full. I’m constantly trying to remember to stop, walk the dog, or take a moment to drink tea on the porch.
Have your children caught the fibre arts bug as well? What do you feel is the best way to approach sharing a creative passion with others?
My kids think my work is boring. They’re creative in their own ways and while I’m always happy for them to join in, I love that they follow their own path. Sharing creativity with others needs to be done for the love of it, with zero expectation around the outcome or aempt to convert someone to your method.
Do you have a favourite piece?
To date, ‘Garden Wanderings’ is my favourite. It was a commission piece I loved so much that I asked my client if I could create prints of it. I don’t own any of my own work, so having prints is a wonderful way to document some of my favourites.
How would you define success as an artist?
It’s really important to remember that everyone has a different version of ‘success’. For me, I wanted it to be my life’s work and earn a sustainable living to support my family. I think success can be found in developing a joyful way of working that is true to you - whilst you can measure success in external achievements, it’s the work that you do every day that brings value to your life. To me, finding joy in the process is essential.
This book isn’t just for stitchers, but anyone who loves colour, texture, textiles, fibre, nature and creativity
After such a busy year, what’s up next that you’re excited about?
My book is out in the UK right now, which feels very exciting! I also have teaching dates in Australia and NZ, launching new hand-dyed wools, and releasing our ‘One-of-a-Kind’ stitch kits (created using vintage textiles and curated supplies to create your own unique stitched artwork). I’m also taking time to slow down. It’s been my biggest year yet and I’m due for some extra tea drinking and daydreaming on the porch.