Starting a new project is daunting – lots of new ideas sparking off tangentially – you don’t want to stop them happening but sometimes it’s like herding cats!
So it was grounding to start felting something central to my thoughts but fairly simple.
I looked through my photos and laid out the fibres loosely to create the impression of the wall in colours and patterns. I love this airy dreamlike stage for itself, before the water and the work!
Then I wetted the fibres out and started to work on it, rubbing gently and then rolling to set the surface. I didn’t want this piece fully felted – just enough for it to hold together – what we call a prefelt.
Normally I would let it dry but I was too excited so I got the scissors out and started to hew the blocks!
The arrangement did not respect the initial layout – in keeping with the behaviour of a mason I thought, who was hardly likely to be taking care to position blocks in the same configuration that they had laid under the ground since their formation.
Back to the felting mat to create a background for the mortar and then place the prefelt plocks on the top.
White fibres, grey fibres, a touch of green for the moss and some wool nepps for the aggregate.
More wetting out, rubbing and rolling.
In the end I wasn’t entirely happy with the piece and didn’t photograph it, but it got me started. Things are never wasted. For one thing, I often need to think through making and learn from early creations. On a more practical level I had included in my application the provision of handling samples in the exhibition room – so what didn’t make it into the final hang would play and important role in letting people enjoy the feel of the felt.
Next time: The Friends of Waterton’s Wall
Helen Riddle 