GWEN DEAN

I am a felt artist and ecologist based in Dunblane, Scotland.  I am passionate about the UK’s native flora and fauna and am inspired by the beauty and variety of the UK’s landscapes; in particular the dramatic mountainscapes and beautiful coastlines of Scotland where I live, and Wales where I was born.

 

Approximately four years ago, I was introduced to needle-felting through a charitable event with the Bat Conservation Trust.  Having made a small three-dimensional bat, I was hooked!  I spent a few months creating small sculptures, before coming across the technique of using coloured wool to ‘paint’; which became my main focus in early 2017.

 

To create a painting, I use both needle-felting and wet-felting techniques; often using several rounds of both to achieve the desired effect.  Needle-felting is the process by which a barbed needle is used to tangle coloured wool into place, whilst wet-felting uses hot soapy water and agitation to further felt the fibres together.  The whole process often takes weeks to complete and, while the fibres can have a mind of their own, I love the wonderful textures and effects that the natural fibres can produce.

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Over the last few years I have displayed individual pieces in a couple of local galleries, and have taken part in the Macrobert Arts Centre Christmas Exhibition.  Earlier this year I was delighted to be one of the featured artists in the beautiful Dancing Light gallery in the borders during their 2020 February/March exhibition.