Felting: Crossing Media Boundaries
Some people sure have nerve, don’t they? My dear friend, Nina Compagnon, is one of those people. Here we were, standing at Priscilla Kibbee’s booth at a recent quilt show, admiring the delectable handspun Thai silks (which Priscilla had JUST brought back from Thailand the week before).
Nina remarked, this one is gorgeous, isn’t it?! Indeed, it was. She went on to say, I’ve got a great idea. I’m going to cut it up and felt it. Ugh! This is all that my mind heard: blah blah blah, cut it up and blah blah blah. No! What are you saying?? Why would you cut it up???
Here’s the thing. Nina has been working in fiber arts for many years. Felting is her passion, but she is also an accomplished weaver and quilter. Her years of experience and knowledge make her bravely go where I had never been before. After I saw the results of some of these kinds of (initially shocking) statements, my creative path opened up to a clearing in the woods. Aaah, I see...So THIS is “crossing boundaries” of fiber arts media!
Can you imagine wearing a shawl that was felted from nuno wool and Japanese silk kimono fabric, with strips of hand woven Thai silk running through it? I couldn’t either, until I saw Nina’s magic.
But her hubris takes another step, because as soon as she creates these felted pieces, she is willing to cut them up again and create wearable art from them. Each piece is breathtaking. Currently, she makes custom clothing locally and for Wardrobe Works, an upscale consignment shop in Denver.
Nina’s boundary crossing doesn’t stop there. She also creates wall pieces that have the uniquely felted quality of feeling like some of the piece is resting behind the mist, while other parts snap right into focus.
She also has started to design and create felted birds. You really have to see these. To check out a large selection, see Backyard Birds, in Northampton, Mass.
Thanks to Nina, I have learned how to be braver in my own pieces. She has floated many gems of fabric my way over the years. They have all enriched my work and helped me imagine something more than I was able to before. More of Nina's works can be seen on her website. She can be contacted at nina@ninasfiberarts.com.
So, here is my fortune cookie insight for you: Be inspired by people who cross boundaries, and consider how you can do the same in your own work.
Be sure to stop by Nina's website, www.ninasfiberarts.com!
Click here to return to the Articles and Interviews Index or click "Next Entries" below to continue browsing this section.
Felting, Mixed Media
Reader Comments (3)
Nina is a great inspiration to all.
Nina's work is beautiful.
Nina creates such beautiful things.