Needle felting is the process of using a barbed needle to stab wool fibers until they tangle together. This condenses the wool in size as it becomes more and more tightly tangled together, and becomes felt. By the time I'm done stabbing and matting the fibers together, it's much smaller than the wool I start with. 

The challenges inherent in this medium, like not being able to mix my own colors easily like I would while painting, or the difficulty of finely detailed work, lead me to problem solve in unique ways, or bend to accommodate the limitations. I have started layering colors, like I do when painting a canvas, and have experimented with a more painterly effect. I've been freed up to work more abstractly, and have also introduced wool yarn to incorporate elements of line.

I've pushed into 3D, delicately dancing between adding shadow and light with colored wool, or letting the 3D aspect do the work. I've also loved experimenting with different kinds of wool, yielding to their various qualities that I aim to enhance, not conquer. I want the wool to be free to be its own wooly self!

In a world of toxic products and industrial waste, I am also pleased that I waste virtually nothing, and support small owners of hobby farms who many times shear their own animals, and then I support others who dye or spin that wool. I'm grateful for the good care these sheep, goats and alpacas receive as I lovingly work with their fiber. 

I hope you find the results as magical as I do.