My Felting Journey

 
Valerie is a Brighton-born wool felt artist with experience of living in different parts of the world and meeting many diverse cultures. People have shaped both her creative vision and approach to life. Alongside her teaching career, Valerie has worked with felt for a number of years, exhibiting and teaching at home and abroad. Lockdown provided the opportunity to both develop her felt making teaching virtually and also develop her felting. Valerie takes part in the annual International Virtual Felt Camp finding inspiration from felt artists in Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom.

Valerie’s artistic journey is deeply intertwined with her experiences of travel and cultural exchange. Virtual platforms have expanded her horizons even further, allowing her to engage with artists and teachers from diverse regions. Her fusion of traditional techniques with modern technology helps to highlight the beauty and benefits of wool through her art. By creating usable decorative accessories and painting with wool, she not only showcases the versatility of this natural material but also promotes sustainability and craftsmanship. she merges functionality with artistry, making her creations both visually appealing and practical for everyday use. Valerie is a member of the Internation Felt Makers Association.

My Teaching

Having formalised my teaching with a degree from Brighton University I’ve taught for City College, Brighton and Hove and Aspire Sussex as well as hosting private classes in my studio,

When teaching I believe that the students ‘enjoyment and achievements are central to a successful learning experience. I run felt making workshops including numo felting, painting, sculpturing and making accessories.

Wool Paintings

I love to create paintings using a variety of felting techniques.  I make the canvas laying down wisps of wool fibre, using the same technique create a background wash like a painter.  More wool is added to create the painting, I use the ancient process of wet felting for this gently felting the wool using agitation gently rubbing the fibres to help them felt together and then progress onto rolling the fabric I’ve made. Sometimes I include other materials including silk, bamboo, banana and other lovely fibres to create further interest.

Finally, I begin to rework the picture adding more detail, highlights and shadows using fine needle felting. This is a wonderful process that produces an exciting piece of textile artwork.