The Making of the ‘Found Collection’ Scarves
For as long as I can remember, scarves have been a staple in my wardrobe—worn across every season and climate. In summer, they protect my neck and chest from the harsh Australian sun, especially while painting outdoors and managing the skin condition, vitiligo. In winter, they add that extra layer of warmth and comfort, particularly in the cool mornings and evenings of the Hunter Valley. My scarf collection is so vast that I couldn’t count it, it spreads across my wardrobe, studio, car and office. They are even live on our couch!
Summertime at Grawin, north west New South Wales. Wearing a scarf and painting in the 45c heat.
Because scarves have become such an essential part of my daily life—both practically and aesthetically—it felt only natural to design my own. This year, I finally brought that idea to life with a collection that weaves together art, landscape, and wearability.
Introducing the Found Collection
The scarves are called the Found Collection, named after my recent exhibition at Maitland Regional Art Gallery. The exhibition was primarily about the act of noticing—of discovering fragments of landscape, memory, and meaning in everyday encounters with the natural world. The scarves continue that theme, transforming visual moments into something tactile and wearable.
The process began by photographing sections of my impasto paintings and my en plein air studies. I wanted the designs to reflect both sides of my practice—those bold, abstract works created in the studio with thick layers of oil paint, and the more delicate plein air studies painted on location during my travels.
The result is two distinct styles within the collection:
Bold abstracts, taken from close-ups of thick impasto marks, celebrating texture, movement, and glorious colour.
Delicate landscapes, drawn from plein air studies that capture fleeting moments in nature—light shifting across hillsides, wind moving through trees, colour reflecting off distant skies.
Pokolbin Winter Grasses scarf. Photo taken in our back paddock in the Hunter Valley.
Each design is grounded in the Australian landscape, particularly the Hunter Valley, with colours chosen to resonate with the region's natural palette—its ochres, greens, blues, and golden tones.
Thoughtfully Made
The scarves are made from a blend of 30% silk and 70% cotton—a fabric choice that was incredibly important to me. I wanted them to be lightweight, breathable, and suitable for year-round wear. The silk gives them a soft, luxurious feel, while the cotton provides durability and ease of wear. They’re equally at home wrapped around your shoulders at a summer market or layered under a coat on a winter’s walk.
Each design is limited edition—a small, curated run that makes each scarf feel personal and considered. These aren’t mass-produced accessories; they are wearable pieces of art.
Creating this collection has been a deeply rewarding experience—one that’s allowed me to bring my artwork off the wall and into the rhythm of everyday life. Whether worn for sun protection, warmth, or simply as an expression of personal style, these scarves are made to be lived in and loved.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this project already.
I hope the Found Collection becomes part of your story too.
Shop link here.
Yours in art,
Rebecca x
