The Creative Cocoon - Gallery-Fibre Room




			DISPLAY 1: Felted Pieces. Personal Mythology (exploring the underlying truth about me) is the theme for this series in terms of connecting aspects of myself that are/were disconnected; the notions of inner and outer guidance, inner and outer beauty; the multitude of faces I present to the world, and an acknowledgement of where and who I am now.

					Guardian. The outer shell is a combination of dyed wool and synthetic fibres felted and fulled in the washing machine. The "Guardian" is natural wool that I dry felted with a felting needle. D E T A I L I did not have a fixed image in my mind when I began to needle this face. It emerged as I worked.


					Sanctuary. A combination of wool fibres, yarn and embroidery thread wrapped round a circular form, felted and fulled in the washing machine. I fashioned the figure from modelling medium.

					Inner Beauty. Dyed wool and synthetic fibres wrapped round a circular form, felted and fulled in the machine. I was aiming to portray an inner richness. A polished stone rests in the centre.

					Two Faced. This face is dry felted with a felting needle. The face emerged as I worked, I added details once the expression of determination was complete.

					Two Faced Reverse. This is the reverse side of 'Two-Faced'. Again, it was dry felted with a felting needle - a more reclusive, withdrawn impression. Two sides of the same being, cradled and supported in its own felted receptacle.

					Emerging. A female felted form, shrouded in metallic, manmade fibre, emerging from a wool-felted egg. The pieces were created separately, but fitted perfectly after being washing machine felted and fulled.

					Possibilities. Dyed wool, threads, manmade fibre wrapped and felted around an oval shape. I cut into the shape to reveal the unexpected and rich texture inside.

			In Native American teaching the West has lessons for us about responsibility; responsibility for ourselves, Mother Earth and all our relations on the earth. It's a time of life that people who've been given a vision know themselves well enough to be ready to share the lessons, where people find out what their abilities and skills are. A time when people are not afraid to say something that is unknown or beyond their capabilities. It's a time of strength and balance. It's the power of serving: serving with strength, courage, grace and great ability. I named this next felt piece "West Wind" before I became aware of these teachings. This presents me with the notion of the power of our inner wisdom... of knowing things I didn't know I knew. Of looking at my creations with a different eye and of trusting my art to teach and guide me.
					West Wind. Dyed wool fibre and metallic manmade fibre, felted and fulled in the washing machine. I pull colours from my stash intuitively, getting out of my own way whenever I can!

					West Wind D E T A I L Once completed, I discovered the face nestled inside. I worked with the features as I saw them, with a felting needle.