The Challenge
When I first decided to write Feltorials for the rest of the world I had no idea that I was going to learn so much in the process. I have unwittingly exposed a system that really does work and impressed myself with the way they all make sense in relationship to each other.
It was always my intention to open your eyes and provide you all with an easy to follow gradient of skills and projects to practice these. But I hadn’t realised how much I wanted to take you out of your comfort zone. You see the biggest obstacle to your success, is being too comfortable.
It seems there are countless felting tutorials that are simple, cute and affordable. This is not the niche I wanted to infiltrate. I came onto the scene when there were already a lot of well established fibre artists whom I admired immensely and very openly. I followed them and purchased tutorials, sculptures and materials from my absolute favourites. In doing this I discovered how I wanted to be unique. Without supporting these artists I would never have found my own inner artist. So I decided that was what I wanted to do for all new comers after me, especially in Australia.
This became my goal, to teach those whom aspired to create illusionary realism like me, to step out of their comfort zones. I felt it was going to be really important for me to be me and I am just like you. I experience fear and self doubt but I’ve learned to conquer this and it’s all because of these Feltorials.
So once I had my goals set I needed to implement my mission. There is no sense in me embarking on a mission without a passion so it made sense that I would find them both. My passion was very easy as I’m a complete animal lover and have been all of my life. I’m also an Aussie, born and bred, so it wasn’t difficult to realise that I should focus on Australian creatures and as an Artivist my niche was decided.
The Sleeping Aussie Baby (SAB) Series was born. These Feltorials needed to be more than a “how to” needle felt tutorial. Rather than teaching you what to learn I wanted to teach you how to learn. Once you open that compartment in your brain there is no turning back. Just as you can’t know what you don’t know, you can’t un-see these things once seen.
When you become accustomed to not only thinking out of the box, but also what you can do with the box, you basically open Pandora’s box! Going out to the edge of your comfort zone is scary but trust me it’s like a drug once you cross over.
My twelve Feltorials consist of four beginner, four intermediate and four advanced sculptures. These were all chosen for their importance to the overall picture. They are all unique, endangered or extinct Aussie creatures.
The beautiful little BEHM (Big Eared Hopping Mouse) was one of the stars in the movie “Dance of the Dead” and was created in July 2018. Exactly one year later I am creating the final sculpture for the SAB Series. I wonder how many of you are ready to step out of your comfort zone?
Remembering that fear is false evidence appearing real, that a fail is merely a first attempt in learning and life starts on the edge of your comfort zone, I am challenging you to go there with me.
If you want to needle felt like me then this is the course for you. It needs to be done from the start to the finish because it’s designed to grow your skills organically as you move through each one. I have devised a system that conserves the felters arm, as we all know how easy it is to get caught up in this repetitive bliss. My style is unique to me and I want you to find your unique style too.
I want you to get a good feel for different fibres and my kits include a great variety to give you a constructive, hands on experience when trying them. It’s this mixture of fibres, techniques and creatures that has magically come together as a complete package.
I’m not going to tell you it’s easy, that’s not what I wanted to create. It’s a challenging and rewarding journey that I’m willing to take with you. How can you go wrong when you are learning and most of all, stabbing.
So with all of that said here is a look at the final piece, meet number twelve, my baby BEHM. She incorporates everything you have learned from the very first baby Numbat. The most constant lesson, “less is more” coming together as this adorably realistic baby. I want you all to get excited for this creation and if you haven’t yet, catch up.
I decided that she needed to be awake. My aim as an Artivist is to wake up humanity. Her message is clear as the Big Eared Hoping Mouse is now extinct. The rest of the creatures in my Feltorials are teetering on the edge and it’s up to us to make sure we don’t lose them forever. By creating these fabulous Feltorials I intend to bring awareness to the world wide audience, about the plight of our unique Aussie babies. So join me in this quest and take yourself to new levels of creativity at the same time. I promise you will become addicted forever.
Rx
