Both Low Tide and Forest floor are entrants in the International Embellisher Challenge 2010
Base –base fabric was created from wool and silk , then assorted fibres ,fabrics and yarns were attached by machine needlefelting the whole piece. High relief was achieved by stuffing and trapunto to give an undulating look. The rocks are created by needlefelting differing shades of muslin from the back to give a soft mossy look. These are then stuffed and stitched to give rock like forms. Various threads and sari silk throw waste are felted to recreate grasses and natural forms. Silk paper is cut to make floral shapes and leaves. Aluminium wire is wrapped in paper fibre to create roots both big and paper string for small. roots.
The frog – the frog was hand needle and wet felted.It has armatured limbs and was highlighted with fabric paints on its body. It has hand pinted glass eyes and beaded fingers.
Artist Statement:
Forest Floor evolved from finding a small green tree frog in our yard after a wet period here in Qld. It was the first tree frog I had seen in years, giving me hope that they hadn’t disappeared completely from our area. I envisioned a small frog climbing along a moist rainforest floor looking for shelter. This piece is almost entirely needlefelted using an extensive no .of yarns, threads and fibres to create a mossy, green landscape, with exposed forest roots that the little frog clings to as he moves along.