Artist Access Grant

My goal for this project is to begin creating my own unique identity as a fiber artist by exploring a specific niche and style for my fiber work. In particular, I would like to become known as a full-circle, locally-sustainable, farm to fiber artist, whose work is recognizable in style and for my production model. Outcomes that will help me reach this goal include... 1) providing myself with dedicated time, space and support to develop my natural dyeing skills to a level where I have enough confidence and knowledge to be able to continue discovering how to use dye-stuff materials grown or wild-harvested on our farm property. 2) developing techniques for successfully dyeing pre-felts 3) using those pre-felts to create visually engaging wet felted rugs, wall hangings and sculptural pieces (functional and non-functional) I will consider this project a success when I have... 1) learned to confidently produce a full spectrum of naturally dyed wool including reds/pinks, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, violets and browns using 3 or more dye-stuffs from our farm (i.e. buckthorn bark, tansy, rhubarb, etc.) 2) successfully developed a process for dyeing pre-felted wool panels/sheets for use in wet felted projects. I may also work on dyeing yarn, batting and roving but the primary learning goal for this project is working with pre-felted panels/sheets 3) created 2 rugs, 2 wall hangings and 3-4 different sculptural wet felted final pieces using the dyed and pre-felted materials I created. 4) taught at least 1 "member to member" workshop with the DFG 5) showed my work at a minimum of 1 exhibition or juried show in the region