Process: Felt I, sculptural needlefelting
Well. Felt is a big subject for me. Hence the title, Felt I. There will be further discussion.
Needlefelting is my game, rather than wet felting. It’s not so much a preference as the fact that I haven’t developed the touch required by wet felting. Give me a needle and I can just start stabbing. It’s incredible, and really fun to teach because it’s EASY. Below, the second needlefelted piece I ever made. Truly mixed media, this guy is named The Collector. My idea was that this iguana roams the landscape collecting wisdom, embodied in the apparently random things he picks up and attaches to himself. The glass head and feet were made by my friend Wayne Robbins.
Monkey’s head also by Wayne Robbins.
Yes! The Collector is totally nuts! But not as nuts at the Mermonkey. It’s interesting that both of these creatures are apparently extremely vain. Poor monkey, in fact, is weighted down by her mirror and comb, which are attached to anchors. Poignant, I think.
I have made something of a specialty of needlefelting over an armature, incorporating other materials into the work. Wool is more the means than the end in these sculptures.
It’s so malleable, so friendly to work with, and the fuzzy surface can be either appropriate, as in the baby birds below, or unexpected as in a simian fish or reptile. Some people paint the felted surface; I prefer to add detail with my felting needle, and embellish with shiny things.
Three Little Birds, necklace. Birds and nest by Kim Van Antwerp. Glass eyes and beaks by Wayne Robbins. Necklace of pearls and copper by Judie Mountain. photo: Wayne Robbins
Pisces Bracelet, wool felt, beads and sequins.
Owl bracelet, glass eyes by Wayne Robbins beak is a fossilized shark tooth.
. It’s also very lightweight, which makes it great for jewelry applications.
Working over the same aluminum armature wire, I can make amazing sculptural bracelets.
The bracelets and birds have made wonderful class projects; it’s a delight to see a student react with amazement at the effectiveness of this simple process. As the form begins to take shape, confidence builds and imagination takes flight. At the end of the day everyone has created a unique specimen.
Below, a few more examples of mixed media sculptures and jewelry. Some of them are available for purchase. Email me to inquire. kim@kimvanantwerp.com
Are you intrigued?
You’re invited to visit my profile on Jumprope to see free tutorials about needlefelting and more.