Angelina Essence

I took my experiment with my felting with angelina fiber to the next step. The fibers are heat bondable so one can make gossimar iridescent sheets. I discovered that once I applied the heat from the iron the fibers actually become more pearlescant than before. The heat activates the iridescence of the angelina. Prior to that it is more of a metalic sheen.
I messed up a bit with the heat process though. I discovered that one only needs to apply the heat for a very short second, otherwise the fiber loses its luminescent appearance.
I think using the heat is better because it sparkles more after applying the heat than it does if I just felt it into the wool right out of the package. I particularly like adding some heat to the loose fibers that I prefelted into the wool. Felting in the prefused fibers creates more of a mother of pearl or insect wing appearance. So I find it interesting that I can ultimately get three different effects with the same fiber.
It is difficult to photograph though because its appearance is dependent on how the light hits it. If I get a good shot of it, I will put an example here.
I like the effects that it adds to my current felting projects. But, all the little details is making it a long process.
I am aiming to have 30 felted works to sell in art fairs later this year.

interesting forum

I recently joined an interesting art forum website which is kind of like the Facebook of fiber artists. It is called Fiber Artists /Mixed Media. It is really interesting to see what other artists are doing not only with felting, but with combining various types of fibers.
I have set up a page for myself there as well.
http://fiberartsmixedmedia.ning.com/
As an artist I think it is important to interact with other artists/creative people and avoid working in isolation, so I am excited about being a member of that group.

I have also been experimenting with blending an interesting fiber called angelina into my needle felting. It is a wonderful iridescent fiber which creates a nice shimmering, "bling" sort of effect. I've looked around and it doesn't seem that anyone else has tried to actually use it with needle felting. I was surprised at how well it actually works considering that it is a synthetic fiber. Others have been known to use it in quilting and spinning.

I am also beginning to bring the symbolism of the pearl into my work, something in me has compelled me to start using it and I was very surprised to see how closely some of the traditional meanings attached to it fit with my own personal symbolism.
To me it is a beautiful way to add to my expression of female empowerment. With this I am really looking at my own sense of personal empowerment as a woman and about my own sense of resiliency. Oysters are very resilient in the way they produce this beautiful gem as a way of defending itself against foreign sand particles that get inside its shell. The iridescent nature of pearl speak to me in terms of our inner light (soulful or spiritual nature) . I also see it as a symbol of taking pride in one's inner beauty (which is related to the idea of empowerment).
The art that I am currently working on which will include pearls is really the foundation of my exploration in using the pearl as a common element in my future works.

One painting I am doing now is really about inner emotional healing after some painful personal experiences. The pearls in that painting are about emotional resiliency and that one can rise above emotional scars and pains towards greater strength and optimism for a richer and happier future. My current felted piece that I am working on is more abstract and is more about the expression of our inner gem.

The viewer of art will always bring their own interpretations to a work which may be different
from the artist. But that to me is what makes visual art so dynamic.

Entered a contest

I entered a contest with an art supply store for the chance to win a gift card towards art purchases. Here is the link to my entry. The public can vote on people's work.
I am currently in the process of designing my website for the first time.
I am putting a lot of work and time into it. When it is up and running I am going to include the link for it here.
My official website will include a more detailed statement about my work, upcoming events, and my full portfolio of work.
Here is the link to my contest entry:

http://galerie.deserres.ca/en/work.php?id=2838

Already on my way

Well. This blogging thing is quite new to me, but I think it is an interesting way to start bringing my creative footprints into the web before embarking on the world of a personal website.

Another good thing about trying out this system is to hopefully connect with other emerging artists out there. To share our works, ideas, goals and experiences.

My creative journey has been a life long experience. I have been creating since I can remember and began seriously studying art and art history in high school where I had wonderful and talented teachers who taught me the foundations of art theory and practice. After majoring in art for an arts degree for my undergrad, I left with a bit of a creative block which is a common experience for many artists. Sure I dabbled here and there over the years, but then put my brush down for for the most part of a few years, other than the odd dabbling now and then. Then, about a year ago, after taking a look at really what I truly want for my life and after asking myself what my real dreams for my future are I realised that I had just completed two paintings that I felt the most satisfied with. I discovered from developing those that my artistic voice was beginning to emerge. Ideas began to flood my imagination. I also learned that once I gave myself permission to pursue my dream to become a practicing and professional artist as a second vocation, my imagination became more open to the evolution of my ideas and creative inspiration.

I feel more artists just need to believe more in themselves and to see their art as a product that serves the visual senses of their patrons and/or followers.
It is my intention to continue to share my creative evolution here and to eventually link it up with my website once it is up and running.

I invite other artists, particularly Canadian artists, and those who are at the emerging level to interact and share with me on here. Too many artists seem to exisit in isolation. In my opinion, blogging is a great forum for artists to come together and share experiences and their creative energies.

Last November I held my first self promoted show as an open house and invited people I know. I sold one piece, and had a special request for another. This interest in my one new medium called needle felting took me to my next paint splotch stepping stone, so to speak and I find myself beginning to merge my felting with my oil painting.

My aim in today's art world with an abundance of art, art styles, disciplines, media, and concepts, is to be as original as possible... to create work which will be as identifiable as being me as a Van Gogh is identifiable to him). I think the secret for any artist is to establish a following or fan base in much the way a musical artist does. My art continues to evolve as I build my portfolio and aim to continue to develop my original and distinctive style and artistic voice. I truly believe that, even though in many ways, it seems that it has all been done, one can still develop a sense of originality and style with one's work. By combining my unique style of painting with felting, I hope to be somewhat of a trailblazer and present art to the buying world that they may never have seen before.

Selling art may be a slow process that one really needs to stick with and not give up on, but I believe if it is one's true passion, it is all worth it. Being creative is a gift that we as artists and creative people should not underestimate in ourselves.

Well, I could go on, but I think this is enough for my introductory entry to this blog. I hope that what I do with it and how it serves me and other creative people out there will evolve just the same.

I look forward to connecting to other visual artists in this forum.
Stay tuned for my website.