I was thinking about this recently and realised I actually didn’t have the language around it as I just know this is what I am to do. I sat with this realisation and whilst listening to a podcast I suddenly had an aha moment.
Art and paintings in general can convey all kinds of messages, evoke all sorts of feelings, their beauty can comfort. In this respect I believe felt paintings can elevate this in a very tangible and visceral way. Wool is soft in texture, warm and comforting in itself.
I believe that Felt Art can help and comfort people in their journey towards healing during the most difficult seasons of life.
In cold weather, the natural inclination is to snuggle under a warm blanket for comfort. Similarly, during the cold and challenging periods of our lives, such as those marked by various forms of grief, I believe contemplating a cherished felt painting, finding beauty, special significance and meaning within it can offer solace and uplift our spirits amidst the anguish.
Not only is the end result important but also the processes to achieve this. I use both wet felting and needle felting techniques. Reflecting on this, these techniques are very different but both resonate with me about how life is sometimes. Wet felting is unpredictable. As an artist I plan each felt painting before I begin. However, then once the piece has been felted it will shrink and parts of the design will move out of place. Needle felting is slow but detail can be added. This is where I can have a bit more control over the final outcome.
Making a felt painting is a very tactile process throughout the various stages which I enjoy. During the process of making, the background chatter in my head quietens completely. Some refer this to as being in a ‘flow state’. A lot of patience is required. It is a slow craft. But sometimes in the pain and uncertainty of life that’s exactly what I need.