Monday, January 25, 2010

Felt Landscapes

I realized that I don't have many pictures of my felt on here yet. And since I am not currently working on anything note worthy I will just post some of the landscapes I have done as a way introduce my work and as a record for myself. I start by laying out the colored wools and wet felting them. I then use a felting needle to add details.



This piece was my second felt landscape. It is close to 12 inches square if I remember rightly. It has flown the coop so to speak, sold at the Wesleyan Potters annual show and sale.


This piece is similar in size to the previous piece. I started this by laying out a lot of different green wools. I had been planing on making a mottled green background that I could needle felt flowers on. When the wet felting was done I saw a pond with reflections on the water. I enhanced the image and added the waterlilies with a felting needle.


This was the first landscape I did that was based on a photograph. The photo was in the Wet Canvas (an Internet art group) photo reference library. When I posted this image on Etsy the photographer saw it and sent me this message, "I happened to spot this lovely piece and did a double take! You see the reference you used was taken by me!I love it, it's so much better than the photo, I have no idea how you achieved it using felt!" I was astounded and very flattered to say the least.
This piece was rather large compared to the others. I think it was about 3 feet tall. I sewed actual stones and shells at the base of the tree and on the shore. This piece sold to an art collector:)
This piece is fairly big too, the frame is an 18x24. This is based on a reference photo that I took. (Notice the curves from my camera lens :P )
Two more before I trundle off to bed...



14 comments:

  1. I've been waiting for this. I've been bowled over by your paintings but the felt....ahhhh. So exquisite. I am in awe.

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  2. Thank you Joei, Though you must have seen them all before!

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  3. Your work is amazing. I began felt painting last September. Not quite as good as this but i am pleased with some of my pieces. Good to see your work :)

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  4. Your landscapes are beautiful and very inspirational.

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  5. Beautiful! I did a landscape in felt onto a raw silk hankie a while ago, and it was so satisfying to see everything come together. I'm not nearly on your level, but I hope to be someday!

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  6. I am officially obsessed with these landscapes. I only discovered the beauty of these a few weeks ago and find myself searching the internet for more photos. How do I learn how to create these? I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and am afraid there are not many (if any) resources here.

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  7. HI Auntie Kim, I love that your aspiration is to be the best auntie ever!
    I am so glad that you like my landscapes. I do teach but so far have only taught here in the Northeast. I just did a class in Glen's Falls.I do know that there are felters in Arizona, New Mexico, California, etc. I could ask if there are any in your area.
    I am thinking about writing a book as I have had some requests...maybe that 'someday' project will get off the ground this year...
    So nice to hear from folks like you. Thanks,Diane

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  8. Your work is so beautiful! I have been doing felt landscapes for a couple of years myself. I always needle felted first and then wet felted. Do you just start out with wet felting the background? Just love your work
    Kate

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  9. Hi Kate, I always wet felt first, then add detail with a felting needle if I feel the piece needs it. I don't really enjoy needle felting but I do like what I can do with it. My work has changed since I posted these photos. I have gotten better at maintaining the lines I want during the felting so that I don't have to needle so much. Thanks for your compliments. It means a lot.

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  10. Hi, Love your work. Do you think I could achieve similar results with needle felting? I am just starting out on the felting journey and am opposite to you that I don't think I would take to wet felting (my hands don't like being wet and so I would have to wear rubber gloves, which I also hate!)I have however loved my first step into needle felting. I am a landscape painter usually with pastels but am so excited to give it a try (just would be nice to have an experts view as to whether it is possible).
    Kind Regards
    Dawn

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  11. Hi Dawn, Needle felting will give you good results. Some people needle felt and then do a bit of wet felting. There are a lot of possibilities with felt. I have a friend in the Northeast Feltmakers Guild that does stunning pictures with just needle felting. http://northeastfeltmakersguild.org/feltmaker/muffy-kashkin-grolier/

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    1. Thanks for your quick response and the link, her work also looks amazing (and she works with a single needle!) I am extra excited for my wool delivery now. Needle felting here I come!!
      Many Thanks Dawn

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  12. Wondering what wet felting is. I took one meedlefelting workshop but it was an owl freestanding very small and would prefer to learn landscapes. Any online tutorials available? Have not fpund any.

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