Felt

More years ago than I’d like to admit, I did a collaboration piece with an artist friend who wanted to embed rocks into felt. After months of experimenting with making heavy weight felt, I finally succeeded. When the project was completed, I decided to change directions and go lightweight. Every time I think I’ve made one of everything possible in nuno felting, I find something new to try. Combining color and texture are like painting with wool and cloth. Shaping garments by shrinking selected areas is akin to sculpture. It’s been a fascinating journey. I love passing on these hard won skills in my classes. I gain energy from the smiles and enthusiasm students generate while working on their own creations.

The bottles in this piece are a tiny part of the more than six thousand specimens my daughter collected for her PhD study. She is an entomologist, community ecologist, and plant-biochemist.

Initially, the “Rebecca’s Research” project was an attempt to create awareness of the complicated, lengthy, detailed, and often tedious process that it takes to become an expert in any given field. Advancing science cannot be rushed. Nature’s timeline bends for no one. During the pandemic, however, the focus on how science is observed, studied, defined, learned, and proven over time becomes even more important. Understanding the difficulties of discovering a new path means understanding that reliable answers can’t be rushed simply because of the urgency of the issues.

Appalachian Craft and Culture Fellow
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
September 1, 2019 to November 10, 2019
Spending three months of uninterrupted time making things at such an inspiring, creative school known internationally for its outstanding programing was so much more than just a dream come true. I went with no expectations of the outcome, just a process I wanted to explore. These vessels are just a small part of what I made. I explored different weave structures using in part naturally dyed yarns, then pushed the boundaries of what cloth would adhere in the Nuno felt process. Surprisingly, the pottery classes had the most influence on the process and shapes.
(photo credit: Robert Batey Photography)

Underwater
Gallery show at Rangsit University
Jan 21 – 27, 2014
Visits as a longtime volunteer at the Tennessee Aquarium have peaked my interest in the endless variety of colors and shapes found in the aquatic world. An Aquarium art exhibit by glass artist Dale Chihuly, the recent display by mixed media sculptor Lanny Burgner, and an Imax show on coral reefs that highlighted the work of Jason deCaires Taylor as well as the many plants and animals all informed the piece.
The pieces with lights are felted in underwater inspired 3D shapes. The floor to ceiling and background pieces are knitted. The wiring is made from crocheted wire and aluminum juice cans and connected with conductive thread in many places and solder in a few. Lights are programed on an Arduino hidden under a cast paper form.