Friday 6 May 2016

It's just juicy....

being at any opening,and last night's was even beyond that.  Puffin Design played host last night to Carmen Ditzler's incredible new body of felt work titled 'Nature in Felt', and it is stupendous.

I was particularly taken by the two very large shrouds and the ecological concept behind them.  This piece, about eight foot in height by five foot in width, is just stunning.   Carmen feels strongly that we need to do away with the lead-lined coffins and the crematoriums so prevalent in this country, purely for the damage they are doing to the environment.  Utilizing a cotton winding sheet and a shroud would ensure that our bodies are integrated back into the earth.


Another shroud resembled a fallen log from the forest, texturally inviting, and rich with lichen and pods.  It was next to impossible to keep from running my hands over the soft felted 'log'.




There were small items too - felt-covered books, purses, table runners, and more.





Another beautifully rendered series are the rain flags.  Inspired by Tibetan prayer flags, this series was started last summer while we were experiencing drought and under weeks of wildfire threat. While we were all praying for rain, Carmen was felting rain flags and rain drops, and they're beautifully rich.









If you're in the area tomorrow, do stop in at Puffin to see Carmen demonstrate between 11 am and 3 pm.  And take in a fabulous show while you're there!

I'm excited to be attending Carmen's workshop this coming Wednesday evening where it will be all hands on deck for playtime.  If you'd like to join us, please do so.  You can register at Puffin Design while you're checking out the show and demo tomorrow!


Carmen's a fabulous instructor, and we're going to have a blast!


Hope to see you there.

18 comments:

  1. Such interesting work - thanks for sharing Win.

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    1. So intrigued by the concept, and the execution is marvellous on all counts.

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  2. How interesting! I've never tried felting before - I wouldn't even know where to start. I agree about the coffins - such a waste of resources and a big business for companies. You pay thousands for a coffin, only to burn it! How mindless! But because everybody does it that way, we don't challenge the tradition. We really should!

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    1. I'd say that Carmen is laying down the gauntlet, and I know a few quilters who will do the same. It's time for a revolution!

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  3. Very interesting, lots of wonderful textures and designs as well. Take care, Shirleyxx

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    1. Agreed, Shirley - to get your hands on these pieces is like melting into the great outdoors. Have a great weekend! xo

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  4. I so love felting, used to do it with the children when I was teaching Textiles Technology but I have to say I don't do it now. Interestingly there are companies in the UK who are now making coffins from wicker and cardboard though there are only a few so far that I know of. Have a lovely weekend, Angela x

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    1. It is just such a sound practice, and I look forward to the day when government and big business get out of this area entirely!

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  5. What a unique and interesting collection of art. I especially like the random patterns on the first one, just lovely. I totally agree with her opinion on burial too, however I'm going with an all wood coffin and no embalming myself.

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    1. I think any artwork that has people talking and questioning is doing the job, right? And so is your choice of wooden casket sans embalming - great for the planet.

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  6. Felting is SO much fun, but I can't even imagine accomplishing a piece as large as one of those shrouds.

    Story Time.
    We live in a rural area, and it is legal in our state, in an area like this, to set aside a piece of land for burial. I (in all seriousness) told all my kids I was going to tie-dye a sheet for them to wrap me in when I die, and for everyone to get together and dig the hole when the time comes, but no one seems to up with that idea . . .
    The End.

    Anyway, if you resisted touching that shroud, you are a much stronger woman than I! That looks like a wonderful exhibit.

    :)

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    1. Love your story, Trisha, and I think you'll just need to keep working on that family of yours! And how could anyone resist touching the shroud (or really, any of that work!)...irresistable.

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  7. Wow.. such interesting felt art! Great! Thank you for sharing with us!
    oxo Susi

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    1. Most welcome, Susi - I'm just so impressed by the wealth of fabulous art in this small community!

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  8. How cool is that felt work Win!! I could see myself touching every piece as well!! I value your posts as we have nothing like this around us- thank you so much for sharing and looking forward to what you create from your class with Carmen! xo

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    1. We're so fortunate to have a valley rich with artists and artistry here, Jackie. I'm still agog at the Call & Response challenge which brought out over 50 artists from so many disciplines, and so many more who weren't able to attend the call. Perhaps it is our relative isolation here which makes it an ideal place to create, but we certainly have our share and then some! xo

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  9. Those shrouds look like fun, Win. My husband is a priest, and he's done some funerals with the wicker coffins. Unfortunately they have a tendency to look like large picnic baskets… However, those felt shrouds look so much more interesting. I can understand you wanting to touch them :)

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    1. The shrouds are amazing Tracy, and I'm going to be sorry when the show comes down this week. I agree about the wicker coffins - not sure that's the very best idea, although anything that has less impact on the environment has my vote!

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