New Flags Coming To LillStreet Soon

Hi!
I am just popping in to let you guys know what I have been doing lately. I am in the process of making four nuno-felt flags which will be installed at LillStreet in June. My flags will soon be flying from the flagpoles on top of LillStreet's roof (I am so excited)! This is not only exciting but it is also a chance for me to experiment. I have not heard of anyone flying nuno-felt flags out in the elements so I am not sure how they will weather. I have decided to look on this venture as being a form of interactive art. I will create four pieces of art and Mother Nature will interact with them and either add to, or subtract from, the flags as she see's fit. When I take them down I will take what nature gave back to me and rework them creating something similar but changed. In honor of Mother Nature I have chosen a theme. Each flag will represent one of the four elements: Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. Now to give you a sneak peek at what is presently laying on my studio table (actually it is tables since I have to create slightly bigger to account for the shrinkage of the wool...my little corner of the basement is standing room only...LOL).


Above is a box of wool (predyed) and my silk which I hand dyed with acid dye.


These are some of the sketches I made and the ones I will be following for the most part (sometimes I make changes in process or change my mind entirely. I think of my sketches as kind of a guideline).


This is the design drawn on plastic as a guide for laying out the wool.


And, this is the beginning of the lay-out process. The appropriate length of silk will go over the design and then the design will be repeated on top of the silk (so the flag will show the design on both sides fully and to hopefully add strength). The whole thing will get patted lightly down with soap and water and then rolled up in bubble wrap. Then it is just a matter of hours worth of rolling.

I will post again soon and show you my progress. Thank you for reading and remember that if you are interested in felting the Textile Dept. at LillStreet will be hosting a four week introductory class in August titled "Fun Felting" and also a one day felt beadmaking workshop in July. So head over to LillStreet's website and check out all of the classes that are being offered (if felting isn't your thing there are plenty of other classes on offer). Have a great weekend!

Thank you,
Frances