“It’s somewhat of a mystery as to how I fell in love with wool, but undoubtedly it’s the close connection to the land, the sustainability of fiber from sheep, and the magical transformation of wool into an endless list of things with just water, soap, and patient agitation. Felting is completely intoxicating and never, ever dull. There is joy, playfulness, and endless surprises when working with wool, which I love to share with others.”
Sheep mural painted over gang graffiti in a Corcoran Neighborhood alley,
Minneapolis MN, 2012, 35 th St & 24th Ave.
baaaa, baaa, blaaaahh, blaaaaah, baaaa, baaaa
I grew up in South Minneapolis, Minnesota, but immediately after college I discovered a love for the wilderness while guiding Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness trips from the end of the Gunflint Trail. This experience ultimately led me back to Grand Marais and North House Folk School. Teaching felting at North House Folk School over the last 12 years has allowed me to merge my passion for teaching, art and creative simple living and has led to the building of a house in Grand Marais, growing a north woods garden and deepening my wool craft.
I have been playing with wool for more than a dozen years and still have so much to learn. This is why I accepted a 2-year artist in residence at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN. For the first time I have a studio space and I am able to focus on developing my felting and teaching skills, work with felting mentors, dig deeper into understanding numerous breeds of sheep and practice the nuances of being a working craftsperson/artist.
I am writing a blog about my experience which speaks about the challenges and joys of teaching, trying to make a creative living, sharing a studio with others, working with mentors, the constant challenge of finding time for creative work in the studio and more. Thanks to North House Folk School for this amazing opportunity and making these blogs available.