Business name: Pure Wool Art
Artist Statement
The textures colours and smells of natural unspun wool attracted me to needle felting in 2010. Sculpting animals led to experimenting on a flat (felt fabric) surface. Creating pieces that were both flat and 3D sculptured allowed the work to reach out to the viewer. I have always loved doing things with my hands. Working with wool, clay (pottery 9 yrs), wood, stone and ceramic tile. I have done some painting and drawing over the years and lots of sewing and knitting too. Manipulating wool with a felting needle or water and soap while learning about its properties has been a challenge and a joy. I am now experimenting with making wet felted vessels using core wool for stiffening and finer wool for outer surfaces. I made these of many sizes, all very different from each other. Embellishing with needle felting, stitches or bead work is fun too. A workshop with felt Canada reintroduced me to sculpture with armature.
During the pandemic I took on a project of processing four raw alpaca fleeces. I learned a lot. Mostly that I would never do it again and it takes tons of water. So much work. Everyone in the family received alpaca neck warmers that Christmas!
I choose now to buy wool that is already dyed and processed and maybe blended with silks ready for art making. Core wools for starting out then finer wools and needles for finishing. Nature is close by in most of my work. Sometimes I will make a thought provoking piece. I am self taught and inspiration can come at any time. It is very satisfying to take wool and bring it to life.
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