2024. Felted Wool.

“Leisegang banding, a fascinating geological phenomenon represented in this art piece, is described in more detail in the companion piece Iron and Sandstone. I was inspired not only by the striking patterns in these rock formations but also by the idea of creating dimensional pieces representing rigid, rocky structures using soft and delicate materials like wool and silk. This piece was compactly wet felted with no delicate surface fibers and will withstand cleaning allowing it to be framed without a glass cover. Photo insp ration was provided by Carolyn Ervin-Mobley.”

2024. Felted Wool.

“This stunning formation of cascading pools is found in the Hockin Hills region of Ohio. Staring down into the swirling waters spilling into and overflowing on the sandstone basin I caught glimpses of my creative mind; full of inspired thoughts that bump and churn until they are able to rise and flow out of the serenity of the tranquil scene they are yearning to become.”

2024. Felted Wool with Silk and Yarn.

“This scene was created by cutting silk fabric into 1/4” squares and then securing each of these thousands of squares to a felted background with a small dab of wool and a felting needle. This technique is entirely new to me and, as far as I know, completely new to the world. It is the culmination of years of learning and growing, striving for some sort of perfect mastery of my skills and then seeking to release my proclivity for perfection to find my voice as an artist and create from a source beyond myself. The light, love, and inspiration that spilled in during my time with this piece are mirrored by the light reaching into the shadows of the forest to impart new energy, new life, and endless opportunities for growth.”

2023. Felted Wool.

“When I began working on Free Fall I was unsure of my future in felting I was feeling overwhelmed by the time-sensitive nature of my art and struggling to see how I could ever make this work as a career. I was wanting to stretch my abilities with larger pieces and new techniques but worried doing so would put me behind in inventory and income. Fortunately, the pull to create was stronger than my attempt to get in my own way and I embarked on a journey that challenged my skills and creative stamina. At the end of my 100-hour-plus felting marathon I found I identify so much with this water: flowing along, reaching the edge of something large and uncertain, and then falling into an unknown space, still unsure of where I’m headed. And in the end, the fall was never a choice and was always inevitable because as hard as it can be to create, it will always be harder not to.”

2024. Felted Wool.

“Iron and Sandstone was inspired by a gorgeous geological phenomenon called Leisegang banding which I witnessed in the rock formations of the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. When these rocks were formed, iron was deposited between layers of sandstone. The sandstone is more susceptible to erosion than the iron causing these beautiful iron bands (and sometimes rings as demonstrated here) to be exposed through the weathering process. These structures also inspired the companion piece Juxtaposition. I especially love that the felting process that creates the dimension in these artworks is similar to the formation of the rocks themselves. Many resists are laid between layers of wool before wet felting and when the felting process is complete the resists fall away leaving the beautiful patterns in the wood that are represented here.”