Felt Progression

Experimenting with additions to felt

I had an excellent session with the No Borders art group at Carleton Day Centre today. It was the penultimate session and everyone was in a good mood and working hard (I think the sunshine and toast helped!) One of the aims of this block of sessions was to give the guys the chance to develop their skills and take things further. I had already done some felt making with this group before but these sessions have given us the opportunity to really build on previous work, try new things and push their work forward.

Laying out fibres

Blending fibre colours

Rolling the felt, the hard bit!

The group has decided to make a joint piece of work, a hanging sculptural piece for the centre which will first go on display in the Prism Arts studio in Carlisle for C-Art in September. Over the past six weeks we have been experimenting with different elements of felt making such as making felt beads and sausages as well as developing our work with flat felt. All these elements are going to be incorporated into the finished sculpture. I can't wait to start putting it all together next week as I'm really excited about how it's going to turn out.

Making beads

Sliced felt beads

So, today we carried on preparing all the elements for the final piece and also working on some individual pieces. One of the things that I most enjoy about working with people is seeing how they take on and develop ideas. It is very satisfying to see someone make something with a technique you have shown them but which they have adapted to suit their way of working and their vision.

Painting the sculptures base (yes it is a lampshade!)