No one will deny that 2020 going into 2021 has been pretty tough on everyone. One of the positive outcomes over that time has been a huge increase in online classes, talks and tutorials. These have given us, as feltmakers, the opportunity to attend classes around the world, no matter where we are based. We can hone our felting skills, meet other like-minded people and pass the time together.
With this in mind, the International Feltmakers Association has commissioned videos for our members’ exclusive, free, viewing from four fabulous feltmakers. Meet them live during the AGM weekend in advance of the video launch on YouTube.
Fiona Duthie
Fiona Duthie is a Canadian feltmaker recognised for her dynamic, sculptural clothing and artwork. Fiona strives for excellence in design and technique, while furthering the medium of felt through the use of new material combinations.
Creative Sparks looks at reconnecting with simple techniques and familiar materials in a playful and exploratory way. Perfect for uplifting us out of a creative slump, or to refresh our existing design process. We explore sixteen creative prompts while making a beautiful, harmonious set of felt tiles. Each prompt can be taken beyond this project and used to add creative sparks to any felt project.
Judit Pócs
Spatiality, Material Use, Recycling
I’m a Hungarian felt artist, who experiments a lot to develop felt in 3D and to achieve new, interesting surfaces.
It has always been a challenge for me to see how felt can be transcendent, whether stone-like or metallic. I find it very exciting when a particular substance goes beyond itself. When designing a surface, I usually push these boundaries.
Recycling is also a feature of my work, I often cut old, used clothes and incorporate the pieces into my wall hangings and other creations and more recently I also recycle coffee capsules into my works.
www.pocsjuditstudio.hu
Nancy Ballesteros
Nancy lives in Australia and is artistic director and founder of Treetops Colour Harmonies. For over thirty years she has immersed herself in the science and study of wool, felting and colour theory. As an international tutor, she specialises in Nuno felt techniques and her recent focus is applying Fibonacci’s Design principles to feltmaking.
How Fibonacci’s Design Principles can help Reconnect your Creativity
There is a Natural Rhythm in things we consider beautiful. Leonardo Fibonacci, a 13th century Mathematician wrote about it, Leonardo Da Vinci used it when he painted Mona Lisa. The Golden Ratio, Fibonacci’s numbers… how could this help your creativity?
Nancy’s video will explore simple, practical ways to apply this powerful design principle to your felting and no maths is required!
www.treetopscolours.com.au
Nicola Brown
Three words describe my textile practice: simple, natural, crafted.
Since my introduction to felt and eco printing, I’ve been on an exciting journey of discovery. Over time the sustainability of my work and teaching has deepened leading to new connections online and in person with like-minded individuals. The advent of Covid-19 means that keeping safe, staying local and living in harmony with the environment has never been more important.
For ReConnect I will share a series of 3 videos: where this journey began, an introduction to eco printing and an eco print/natural dye tutorial using locally sourced vegetation.