At FINDRA, we’re always inspired by those who combine their love of the great outdoors with creativity and passion. This week, we’re thrilled to feature Friend of FINDRA Julia Complin, a talented textile artist whose stunning tapestry wall hangings capture the essence of Scotland’s breath-taking landscapes.
In this blog, Julia shares her journey as a creative, her reflections on the Scottish landscape, and her encouragement for us all to take a closer look at the beauty around us.
Hi, please tell everyone where you are based and what you do!
Hello! I am a handwoven textile artist based in Fife, Scotland. My wall hangings are inspired by the colours and shapes of wild and ancient landscapes that I explore on foot.
The relationships between Scotland’s rugged mountains, ancient woodland and tiny flora fascinate me. Everything existing in a complex interconnected natural world and I interpret this through my weaving in an abstract way. I am not entirely sure why, but I am just going with the flow! It’s where I am happiest, needing to be in the landscape to find the inspiration or being at my loom dreaming of the hills. A complicated challenging connection, as is trying to come up with the weave pattern!
How long has the outdoors been a part of your life?
When I was a little girl growing up in London, I used to sit in the garden in the rain, under a black umbrella. I loved the fresh smell that rain brought and the sound of tapping on the umbrella. After the rain stopped the colours in the garden became more alive and everything seemed to stand to attention. Ever since then I’ve always been drawn to fresh air, nature and exploring landscapes, first walking and now also trail running. The more remote the better. It now feels more like a personal relationship between me and Scotland’s wilder landscapes.
What’s been your favourite trip or adventure?
I moved up to a village not far from St Andrews over 20 years ago with my family. We took trips into the Cairngorm Mountains and have explored many of its peaks, glens, lochs and ancient Caledonian Forests. We walked, cycled, wild camped and I ran. In more recent years I’ve learnt to slow down my passage through these beautiful places, so I could stop and listen to the landscape. It has its own story to tell. My son says the Cairngorms are our second home.
How do you manage to find a balance between being active and life’s other responsibilities i.e. work and family?
To me, it feels like a basic human right to spend time outdoors. Every morning, I go for a run or a walk, which sets me up for the day. Is there anyone who inspired your love of the outdoors?
No one person inspired my love of being outdoors, I think it was just a road of discovery. Certain books like ‘The Hidden Fires’ by Merryn Glover have shown me how to slow down and watch the detail in the landscape. The changing colours, the patterns, shapes and how nature all interacts with each other.
Do you find that being outside has a positive impact on your wellbeing and mental health?
Being out in Scotland’s wilder landscapes gives me a sense of freedom. Of being part of something far, far bigger than myself. Which makes any worries seem so much smaller. These landscapes don’t discriminate, they treat us all the same and we have to be well prepared to survive in them. Sometimes, I could run and run and run through the glens and lower hills, with only my ageing body slowing me down! I feel like I’ve built a relationship with the landscape. It teaches me confidence, resilience and helps me to believe in myself.
What is it about creating tapestries inspired by the Scottish landscapes specifically that you love?
Hand weaving has been a love for many years, as has being outdoors in the landscape. What’s most exciting is that I am still learning about how to connect these two things together, but also about myself. I can walk or run in the Cairngorms alone and not feel lonely. I am listening to the voice of the landscape and it’s taken me a long time to tune into it.
Each of my wall hangings tells a story. It may be about giving the tiny vibrantly coloured flora a louder voice or celebrating birchwood on a hillside that’s been growing there continuously for thousands of years. All the colours I use in my work can be found naturally in the Scottish landscape.
What is your process for creating your work?
I spend time sitting, watching, listening and sketching ideas, looking for colour, shape and pattern. I use a computer weave programme to create small weave patterns and work by hand on a large floor loom. The shapes of mountains, lochs and trees are created using various tapestry techniques. I like to embrace abstraction to push the boundaries of woven art. All my wall hangings are hand woven in wool, because it’s a soft, sustainable fibre that’s not harmful to the planet.
Are there certain places that inspire you, or do you seek out new landscapes each time?
There are so many beautiful landscapes to explore in Scotland, but there is something special about getting to know one area well. (In my case the Cairngorms) However, in recent years I have been exploring the Flow Country up in Sutherland and Caithness. A stunning unique landscape and now also a World Heritage Site.
When did you discover FINDRA?
My husband bought me one of FINDRA's Fern Strip Merino base layers for my birthday and a neck warmer for Christmas. I absolutely love wearing both not just for their warmth, but because they are so light weight and much less bulky than my other outdoor clothing.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?
Follow your instinct, it will always be right for you.
Listen to the landscape with your eyes as well as your ears, it has so much to tell you.
On writing this blog, what do you feel is a key motivational or inspired message you would like to highlight to our followers that would inspire them to get outdoors more?
All my time out of doors not only lifts the spirits but has also helped me to feel more positive and bounce back from difficult times. I highly recommend it! But, don’t overlook the detail in the landscape, for it is truly stunning.
Julia is exhibiting at The John Ruskin Prize Exhibition from 16th Jan - 2nd Feb 2025 at Trinity Buoy Warf in London, and we hope to welcome Julia to FINDRA Innerleithen later in 2025! Watch this space!
Find out more about Julia's work and story at:
Julia Complin - Hand Woven Textile Artist
Instagram: @juliacomplin
Julia's Sunday Inspiration
Favourite Quotation
Favourite Book
The Hidden Fires – A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Sheppard by Merryn Glove
A modern-day journey through the Cairngorms following in the footsteps of Nan Shepherd. A conversation between the two women with nearly a century between them. A beautifully written book about walking into the mountains and making amazing discoveries.
Favourite Song
This piece of music lifts me each time I step out of the house or shut the car door behind me and head for a run in the hills. It’s about making new discoveries in the landscape and in my mind of possibilities.
