So I just uploaded a new How To video to YouTube about shading wool using chalk pastels!
I got some great feedback from some amazing Felters yesterday via Twitter:
[box] You actually inspire me to take bigger chances, experiment and play. @shanakohnstamm [/box]
[box] Thanks for sharing. I’ve always loved your shading but the airbrush wasn’t an option for me. This is! @runredrunfelts[/box]
It got me to thinking….
★ The real reason I experiment so much, honestly, is that I’m lazy! I see such amazing felting work & realize how much time & labor goes into them. I figure there HAS to be an easier way to create the look that we want without all the work!
★ I don’t see my art work as precious. I think this gives me the “courage” to take more risks with the whole process. It’s just wool after all! Never feel like you are stuck with what you have created so far, you can always cut it, add to it, change it!
★ I’m not really a felter, but a sculptor that happens to work with wool. I love being able to sculpt fibers into fun Plush, without having to do all that pesky sewing! That’s why I don’t feel like I have to be constrained by the traditional techniques of the craft.
★ You learn the most from your mistakes! Like in this video, after working with the eyeshadow, I knew that it wasn’t as good as the chalk pastels. That’s why it’s an experiment. Sometimes you gotta screw it up before you perfect it.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest! And I hope you enjoy!
I relate to ALL of this. I’m always looking for a way to streamline the process.. efficiency due to laziness still equals efficiency. I believe that’s leftover from my years as a scenic artist, too.
You remind me that I don’t have to follow the traditional processes either. And yes, you are a sculptor.
Btw, the heavy-gel medium worked well as a coating AND as an adhesive (applied with a palette knife). Looks more waxy than plastic-y. The fiber paste just sat on the surface.
I think working as a Scenic Artist MOST definitely has influenced my view on my art. Making “art” for someone else for the past 10 years that gets thrown away after it’s been used, gives you a completely different perspective on it. So not precious, once I’m done with a piece, I don’t think about it, it’s done, time to move on. That was one of the best bits of advice I got when starting out as a scenic sculptor “It’s just foam”.
And I think the waxy texture could be interesting! It’s stiff when it dries? I’m no painter so I don’t have the fun, cool mediums sitting around to experiment with, but makes me think of new stuff to play with! Thanks Shana!!