P L E N T Y SUMMER 2019 Plenty Summer 2019-joomag copy | Page 31

of time,” Bev reports.
In her studio, experimentation is the
operating principle. Dyeing the wool or leav-
ing its natural color, and painting or dyeing
silk, are all part of Bev’s creative process.
She walks over to her worktable and points
to a piece in progress. “My decisions center
around how the silk will look when the wool
comes through. Mostly, I just start playing.”
Bev’s training has been quite extensive
and ongoing over the years, having chalked
up more than 25 workshops with world-class
felters. Nuno felting was developed in the
early 1990’s by Polly Stirling, a fiber artist
from New South
Wales, Australia.
Textures and colors
She has rock star
meld and dance
status in the felt-
ing world. As the
together to create a
story goes, Polly
lightweight, but strong
had so much wool
at her disposal—
nuno felt wonder: an
not all of it high
earthly mosaic to wrap
quality—that she
started experi-
yourself in, like some
menting, com-
kind of fabric therapy,
bining wool with
or an elegant hanging other fabrics to
make wearable
for a prominent wall.
art. An arresting
and popular art
form, nuno felting is practiced around the
world today. “It has exploded on the fashion
runways. Just search for it on Google!” says
Bev.
She holds up a large colorful piece with
intricate and distinctly different designs on
both sides in shades of blue, purple, ma-
genta, rust, green, and black. Textures and
colors meld and dance together to create a
lightweight, but strong nuno felt wonder: an
earthly mosaic to wrap yourself in, like some
kind of fabric therapy, or an elegant hanging
for a prominent wall.
It’s springtime now, and Bev has made
plans to acquire two new lambs from Lee
Langstaff’s flock at Shepherd’s Hey Farm in
Dickerson. Rounding out her flock, they’ll
PHOTOS ON 21 & 23: WIB MIDDLETON
provide a greater abundance of raw mate-
rial for her work. Bev is also anticipating the
semi-annual Countryside Artisans Tour that
takes place every April and November. For
these events, Bev’s studio is transformed
into a delightful boutique. In addition to
her pieces, which include wall art, blankets,
hats, wraps and more, Bev exhibits the works
of about a dozen artists and brings in new
people each tour.
And so Bev’s creative journey continues,
exploring new artistic ground in full swing
and full view of her beloved sheep grazing in
the field just beyond her studio!
Opposite page:
Design detail
from Bev’s wrap
collection; above:
nuno felt throw
blanket.
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